A fresh barrage of Iranian missiles triggered explosions across Tel Aviv on Friday, sending emergency responders scrambling to contain a fire that broke out at a residential building near Israel’s commercial centre.
According to reports, the strikes followed an expansion of Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah, the Tehran-backed militant group. Israeli officials had earlier vowed retaliation after Hezbollah joined the conflict following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, last Saturday.
Iran’s state broadcaster confirmed that Tehran had launched missiles targeting what it described as locations “in the heart of Tel Aviv.” The announcement came shortly after the Israeli military said its air defence systems were working to intercept incoming projectiles late Thursday night.
Journalists in Tel Aviv reported hearing two near-simultaneous waves of explosions reverberating across the city, heightening fears among residents already on edge due to rising tensions.
Rocket trails were also visible in the sky over Netanya, a coastal city north of Tel Aviv along the Mediterranean Sea, indicating that multiple areas were under threat during the attack.
Following the missile barrage, Israel’s emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, said response teams were dispatched to several locations where impacts were reported.
Despite the explosions and property damage, officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties.
The incident marks another sharp escalation in hostilities in the region, as tensions continue to mount between Israel and Iran-backed forces amid fears that the conflict could widen further across the Middle East.
