Tel Aviv, MINA – At least 21 people were injured, one seriously, after an Iranian missile struck Tel Aviv on Saturday, as explosions echoed across the city during a new wave of launches from Iran, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
An Anadolu correspondent reported a massive explosion in the city following the strike, while large blasts were also heard in Tel Aviv and air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem. The Israeli army said it detected a new barrage of missiles launched from Iran and urged residents to move to protected areas, according to an official statement.
Israeli journalists circulated footage showing extensive damage and large fires in Tel Aviv following the strike, amid heavy censorship regarding losses and affected sites, according to an Anadolu correspondent.
The missile strike represents a significant escalation in the conflict, marking one of the first times a major Israeli city has been directly hit since the current round of hostilities began. The attack on Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial and cultural hub, is likely to prompt further retaliation from Israeli forces.
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On Saturday morning, the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, claiming it was meant to remove “threats” posed by the Iranian “regime.” In response, Iran has been targeting Israel and US bases throughout the region with missiles and drones.
Israel declared a “special and immediate state of emergency” nationwide as the conflict continues to intensify. Iran, for its part, vowed a “harsh response” to aggression and has launched multiple missile barrages and drones toward Israel and US bases in the region.
The situation remains volatile as both sides exchange fire and international observers call for restraint to prevent a wider regional war.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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