ALBAWABA - Iran conducted a massive missile strike on Israel Thursday night, its most powerful direct attack on Israeli land to date, in a dramatic escalation of regional tensions. Only eighteen hours had passed since Israel launched a broad military campaign against Iranian sites when the attack occurred.
Iran Issues a Serious Warning and Verifies Strikes
Dozens of Israeli military and air force locations were targeted by the missile assaults, which were claimed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to Iranian state television, the attack was directed against what it described as the "military bases and airfields of the Zionist regime."
Speaking to Reuters, a senior Iranian official said that "there will be no safe place in Israel" and that the murder of Iranian commanders, scientists, and citizens will be met with agonizing revenge. The official said, "The Zionist enemy will pay a heavy price."
Details Are Withheld by Israeli Authorities
To yet, Israeli authorities have not revealed the whole scope of the damage. In order to prevent Iranian troops from using such intelligence to fine-tune future assaults, the Israeli army has warned the people not to share images or videos of missile hit locations.
In order to combat incoming ballistic missiles and drones, the military also triggered emergency procedures, deploying long-range interception systems and air defense systems like the Iron Dome.
The "True Promise 3" operation
The invasion was dubbed "Operation True Promise 3" by Tehran, which had previously conducted two offensives under the same name in April and October of 2024. Analysts, however, believe that this third operation is the most devastating and extensive of the series.
Increasing Death Toll
Israel's main television said shortly after the assaults that 17 people were hurt, although it did not say what kind of injuries they had. Magen David Adom, the emergency medical service, later verified that the number had increased to 41, with two people in serious condition and 1 dead. In Tel Aviv, where one of the rockets impacted a residential structure, emergency personnel reportedly reported individuals buried under rubble.
Pervasive Damage All across Israel
The damage was characterized as extensive and serious by Israeli emergency services and police. The occurrence was described as a huge event by the head of Tel Aviv district police, who also noted damage in many areas and the fall of full floors in other structures.
According to Channel 13, the devastation in central Israel was "unprecedented," with scores of cars and structures suffering damage from falling debris from intercepted rockets or direct impacts.
Affected Cities
Israeli media reported that at least nine different locations were targeted nationwide. Panic was sparked by thick smoke plumes rising above Tel Aviv and air raid sirens resonating over Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheba, and other places.
Residents have been advised by authorities to stay inside shelters and refrain from going back out on the streets until further notice. According to police, they are in charge of many impact zones where inhabited areas were hit by debris or missiles.
Regional Consequences
The scope and severity of the Iranian attack represent a dramatic change in the long-running war between the two countries. International observers are keeping a careful eye out for possible reprisals and wider regional repercussions as the situation continues to be unstable.
