Iran and Israel have exchanged a barrage of missiles after the United States bombed key Iranian nuclear sites, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East.

An Iranian state news agency reported that Iran on Sunday launched two volleys of 27 missiles, targeting Israel’s main Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, research facilities, and command centres.

The following are the five latest updates on the ongoing conflict:

• Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei promises to punish “the Zionist enemy” in his first comments after the US joined Israel’s attacks on his country.
• US President Donald Trump has hinted at a possible regime change in Tehran, saying, “If the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be a regime change?”
• Israel and Iran continue to trade attacks as the world braces for Tehran’s response to the US bombings, with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying, “the Americans must receive a response to their aggression”.
• The UN’s nuclear watchdog says there have been no reports of increased off-site radiation levels following the US bombardment of the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan sites.
• Iran says that more than 400 people have been killed and at least 3,056 others were wounded since Israel launched its attack on June 13. In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed in Iranian strikes. (Al Jazeera)

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Sri Lankans have been advised to exercise utmost caution and avoid travelling to areas affected by conflict in the Middle East.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry has advised Sri Lankans to keep in constant contact with the Sri Lankan Missions in Tel Aviv (Israel) and Ramallah (Palestine) in case of any emergency.

The Foreign Ministry has set up two emergency hotline mobile numbers for Sri Lankan nationals to seek any assistance in connection to the present conflict situation in the Middle East.

The emergency hotline numbers have been set up by the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo.

Sri Lankan nationals have been advised to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to seek any assistance in connection to the present conflict situation in the Middle East via the emergency hotline numbers 0094711 757 536 or 0094711 466 585.

In addition, the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could be contactable during regular office hours via the landline telephone number +94 112 338 837 and  email: repatriation.consular@mfa.gov.lk (NewsWire)

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Two Sri Lankan women have been kidnapped at the Israel–Jordan border, it was reported.

According to NewsFirst, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel Nimal Bandara confirmed the abduction, stating that the Sri Lankan Embassy is taking steps to locate the two women.

Ambassador Bandara further said that they are yet to receive information on two other women who have been reported missing during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The Ambassador also revealed that 27 Sri Lankans who were residing in Northern Gaza are currently moving towards Southern Gaza in Palestine. 

Ambassador Bandara said that they have received reports that the group is moving towards Egypt with others from Gaza. 

He added that the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Palestine has confirmed their safety and movement, adding that the Palestine Office has made arrangements for their passage through a road opened by them to Egypt.

“The Red Cross Association has also requested the Hamas militants to provide details of people under their custody, which includes foreigners from 36 countries, including Sri Lanka. We will be able to confirm the whereabouts of the two Sri Lankans reported missing if we get the necessary information from Hamas,” Ambassador Bandara added. 

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reportedly in talks with the Egyptian Embassy to bring Sri Lankans living in Gaza to Sri Lanka, via Egypt.

The Representative at the Office of Sri Lanka in Palestine has informed that plans are underway to evacuate the Sri Lankans via the Rafah border crossing. (NewsWire)

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Another Sri Lankan woman has been reported missing amidst the ongoing violence between Israel and Palestine. 

According to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel, one Sri Lankan has been injured and two others are reported missing so far. 

At least 28 foreign nationals, 12 Thais, 10 Nepalese, 04 Americans, and 02 Ukrainians, have been killed in the violence thus far.

The news agency AFP reported that Israeli air strikes and artillery shelling struck more than 500 targets belonging to the Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups in the Gaza Strip overnight. 

The death toll in Israel and Gaza has already soared above 1,100 and more deaths are expected in the war. 

Another 1,990 people have been wounded since fighting began on Saturday (October 7), according to the Gaza Hamas-controlled health ministry. 

The fierce battle with Israel started after the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas fired thousands of rockets into Israel in a surprise dawn assault. (NewsWire)

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