There's no middle path to Middle East now

After Iran's ballistic missile attack, Israel launches ground incursion in Lebanon in which eight of its soldiers died; On flip side, Israel's ground and air operations have killed over 50 in Gaza; over 41,000 Palestinians killed so far

Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel caused few casualties and little damage, but it marked a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East as Israeli forces battle Tehran's militant allies in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

Why did Iran launch missiles at Israel?

Iran's decision to launch some 180 missiles at Israel came after its militant allies, known as the Axis of Resistance, suffered a series of major blows in recent weeks.

Israeli airstrikes killed Hezbollah's top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and several of his top commanders in quick succession, indicating that Israeli intelligence has thoroughly penetrated the group.

Iran may have felt it had to respond to avoid being seen as hanging its allies out to dry.