At least three areas in Israel, including the bustling coastal city of Tel Aviv, were struck by waves of Iranian missile attacks early Sunday morning, injuring at least 23 people and causing widespread structural damage, according to Israeli police and emergency services.
Tel Aviv’s Ramat Aviv neighborhood saw several buildings sustain heavy damage, with holes punched into apartment block facades. Fortunately, there were no casualties in one of the most heavily damaged buildings, which was unoccupied due to a scheduled demolition.
“Houses here were hit very, very badly,” Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said while inspecting the site. “Fortunately, one of them was slated for reconstruction, so there were no residents inside. Those who were in the shelter are all safe and well.”
Israeli police confirmed two additional impact sites — in Haifa, a major port city in the north, and in Ness Ziona, located south of Tel Aviv. In Haifa, images showed rubble strewn across a public square in a residential area, with surrounding shops and homes heavily damaged.
Eli Bin, head of Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service, reported that 23 people were wounded in total, including two in moderate condition. The remainder sustained light injuries, many resulting from falling debris and shattered glass.
According to the Israeli military, two waves of missiles were launched starting around 7:30 a.m. local time (0430 GMT). Sirens blared across multiple cities, followed by the thunderous sounds of interceptor missiles and explosions as Israel’s air defense systems engaged the incoming threats.
Authorities confirmed that weapon fragments had fallen in Haifa and other regions, with emergency crews responding to multiple sites. Official figures indicate at least 50 missile impacts since the conflict began on June 13, with 25 Israelis killed to date.
Despite the intensity of the attacks, Israeli defenses have successfully intercepted over 450 missiles and nearly 1,000 drones, demonstrating the resilience and capability of the nation’s anti-missile systems amid ongoing hostilities with Iran.
The latest assault marks one of the most widespread in the recent conflict, heightening fears of further escalation in the region.
