A US Navy warship fired what are believed to be America’s first shots in defence of Israel – downing missiles fired by Iran-backed forces in Yemen.
US officials said the USS Carney, operating in the Red Sea, intercepted drones and missiles launched by the Houthi rebels potentially towards targets in Israel.
It comes as a huge Israeli invasion force was rumbling towards besieged Gaza today – as chilling signs emerged of the eruption of a catastrophic regional war.
Dozens of rockets were fired into northern Israel overnight from Hezbollah terror forces in Lebanon.
And more rockets were fired at military bases hosting US forces in Iraq and Russian-backed Syria after President Joe Biden voiced rock-solid support for Israel.
The Pentagon's spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said: "We cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones were targeting, but they were launched from Yemen heading north along the Red Sea, potentially towards targets in Israel.
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He added that information is "still being processed" and the attack may "be ongoing".
"Our defensive response was one that we would have taken for any similar threat in the region where we're able to do so against our interest personnel and our partners."
Another US official said it did not appear that the warship was the target.
The Pentagon said US troops have been repeatedly attacked in Iraq and Syria since the conflict in Israel broke out.
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Earlier this week, drones and rockets were launched at several military bases in Iraq – and a drone attack in Syria resulted in “minor injuries.”
"While I'm not going to forecast any potential responses to these attacks, I will say that we will take all necessary actions to defend US and coalition forces against any threat," Brig Ryder added.
Meanwhile, Israel has amassed troops and tanks near the border ahead of a ground invasion as the Middle East is on the brink of an all-out war.
It comes as:
- Brits were told by the Foreign Office to immediately get out of Lebanon as protests broke out over the war in Israel
- Israeli soldiers patrolling kibbutz villages still find Hamas terrorists hiding out near massacre sites
- Autistic Harry Potter fan Noya Dan, was burned by Hamas savages in massacre after texting ‘Mummy, I’m scared’
- A nine-year-old footie fan will spend his birthday in the grips of Hamas terrorists after being kidnapped with his mum
- Locals told how Hamas butchers turned their village into a ghost town after they burned families out of homes and slaughtered them
- A dad has been confirmed as the ninth Brit murdered by Hamas terrorists
- PM Rishi Sunak vowed to "stand" with Israel as it faces its "darkest hour" during two-day visit
Palestinians in the south were urged to seek shelter while an Israeli town near the border with Lebanon started to evacuate.
Airstrikes were reported in in Khan Younis as ambulances were carrying men, women and children streamed into the town's Nasser Hospital.
The Israeli military said it had struck more than 100 targets across Gaza linked to the territory's Hamas rulers, including a tunnel and arms depots.
The country's defence chief Yoav Gallant vowed last night that troops they will soon see Gaza "from the inside."
He told the soldiers: "There is no forgiveness for this thing. Only total annihilation of Hamas organisation, terror infrastructures, everything that has to do with terrorists and whoever sent them.
"It will take a week, it will take a month, it will take two months, until we eliminate them.
As the world is holding its breath, here are Israel's possible key objectives for its ground invasion.
Israel has evacuated its own communities near Gaza and Lebanon, putting residents up in hotels elsewhere in the country.
The Defense Ministry announced evacuation plans Friday for Kiryat Shmona, a town of more than 20,000 residents near the Lebanese border.
The Israeli military has been given the "green light" to move into Gaza whenever it's ready.
IDF spokesman Lt. Colonel Jonathan Conricus told CNN: "The reserves are ready, equipped, mission-oriented, and standing by for the next stage of our operations.
"But at this time, of course, we will not advertise when, where, and how we will advance or do or enhance our military activities."
Israeli authorities say at least 1,400 people have died in Israel, while another 3,785 people have died in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
At least nine Brits have so far been confirmed dead following Hamas' brutal attacks.
A British dad whose wife and daughters were murdered by Hamas terrorists in a horrifying ambush said he's not interested in revenge.
Rabbi Leo Dee's family were travelling to the Sea of Galilee for a holiday in April when his wife, Lucy, 48, and two daughters, Maia, 20, and Rina, 15, were shot dead.
And Manchester United fan Yonatan Rapoport – who was killed in an attack on the kibbutz Be’eri.
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The British-Israeli citizen was set to take his son to his first game at Old Trafford next month, BBC reports.
While anine-year-old football fan will spend his birthday in the grips of Hamas terrorists after being kidnapped with his mum.
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