A devastating missile barrage has rocked Israel, with multiple projectiles penetrating the country’s air defenses and striking the city of Tel Aviv. The attack, launched by Iran in response to Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets earlier on Friday, has left a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. Videos emerged on social media showing the night sky over various parts of Israel, including Galilee and Tel Aviv, illuminated by the incoming projectiles and Israeli air defense missiles launched to intercept them.
According to Iranian media, the country’s military launched “hundreds” of projectiles at Israel in multiple waves, with Tel Aviv appearing to be one of the prime targets. Footage suggests that Israeli anti-aircraft systems deployed inside the city fired at the incoming projectiles, but at least seven areas in the Tel Aviv area were still hit, resulting in at least five injuries, as reported by the Times of Israel, citing medical authorities. Some videos also purport to show the destruction caused by the Iranian hits, with buildings appearing to be seriously damaged.
The Iranian attack was a response to a series of airstrikes launched by the Israeli military on numerous targets, including military and nuclear sites, across Iran earlier on Friday. The Iranian authorities confirmed that the attacks killed two high-ranking military commanders, Major General Hossein Salami, the commander of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. Several media outlets have also claimed that other high-ranking Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists were killed in the strikes.
Tehran has vowed a “crushing” response to what it called “blatant aggression” by Israel, and the latest missile barrage is seen as a significant escalation of tensions between the two countries. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is watching with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The ongoing exchange of fire has raised concerns about the potential for further violence and instability in the region, and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming days.
