A series of Iranian missile strikes early Sunday morning left at least ten people dead and more than 200 injured across central and northern Israel, in what Tehran has described as a direct retaliation for Israeli air raids on Iranian targets in recent days.
In central Israel, five civilians — including two women and two children — were killed when missiles struck residential areas. Health officials confirmed over 130 people were wounded, with multiple hospitals across the region overwhelmed by the influx. Among the wounded were children, elderly residents, and even a baby, according to Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv. Several patients remain in critical condition.
Emergency responders have declared a mass casualty event at several impact sites, with the Israeli Home Front Command stating that at least 35 people remain missing under rubble as search and rescue operations continue.
Residents reported loud explosions throughout the night as ballistic missiles lit up the sky. Fires broke out in multiple neighborhoods, causing further panic among civilians. Significant damage was reported in Dan, Jerusalem, and Central districts, including collapsed buildings and scorched public infrastructure.
“This was worse than anything we’ve experienced in years,” said a medic with United Hatzalah. “We’ve treated children, entire families — many are still trapped. It’s chaos.”
Earlier Saturday night, northern Israel also came under heavy fire. Five people were killed, including a 20-year-old woman whose home suffered a direct hit. Over two dozen were injured. In the Galilee, rescue teams pulled people from the wreckage of collapsed buildings, while firefighters battled multiple blazes ignited by falling debris.
The Iranian barrage — launched in coordination with allied forces in Yemen — follows days of Israeli airstrikes deep into Iranian territory, including attacks on Tehran. Though Israeli officials have framed their actions as preemptive or defensive, Iran maintains its missile response was a necessary retaliation to continued provocations.
As air-raid sirens blared across Israel, thousands took shelter in bunkers. “It felt like the ground was shaking. We grabbed our children and ran,” said a resident of Rishon LeZion.
While the Israeli military claims to have intercepted a number of incoming projectiles, many still managed to hit densely populated areas, exposing vulnerabilities in the country’s missile defense system.
The escalation marks one of the most dangerous phases in the ongoing conflict, with civilians bearing the brunt of military confrontations on both sides. The humanitarian toll is mounting, and fears of further retaliation remain high.