Lebanese report seeing missiles in the sky from Iran's attack on Israel

Resident in Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon reported seeing missiles in the sky and hearing explosions overnight, likely from interceptions, as Iran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel.

Israel said Sunday that the attack was "foiled", with hundreds of missiles and drones intercepted with the help of the United States and allies.

The attack which began late Saturday marks a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes, and comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Iran's proxies and allies also carried out coordinated attacks on Israeli positions as sirens sounded in many places and AFP correspondents heard blasts in the skies above Jerusalem early Sunday.

Iran had repeatedly threatened to retaliate against Israel for a deadly April 1 air strike on its Damascus consular building.

Early Sunday, the Israeli army said that 99 percent of the launches had been intercepted.

"The Iranian attack was foiled," military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement.