At least four people were killed and over 70 injured as Iran launched missile attacks on Israel, the Jerusalem Post confirmed on Saturday. The large-scale missile and drone strikes were carried out in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Iran that had targeted top military leaders.
The casualties were taken to hospitals, with emergency medical teams reporting that several of the injured remain in critical condition, according to Israeli media outlets citing Magen David Adom, the national emergency medical service.
The strikes hit central Israel, including Tel Aviv, causing significant destruction to homes and buildings. Some residents were reportedly trapped under rubble. Images published by the Times of Israel revealed severe damage, with collapsed buildings and destroyed vehicles scattered amidst the debris.
Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Friday night as air raid sirens sent residents scrambling to shelters. According to Israel’s military, air defense systems were activated, intercepting multiple incoming missiles. “Dozens of missiles have been launched at Israel from Iran in the last hour, some of which were intercepted,” the Israeli military confirmed.
Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, reported that hundreds of ballistic missiles were launched as part of the retaliation after Israel’s airstrikes devastated Iran’s nuclear facility at Natanz and killed several high-ranking military figures. Israel referred to the military operation as “Operation Rising Lion,” while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of initiating the conflict and escalating hostilities.
