- Iran launched 70 ballistic missiles and dozens of drones at Israel overnight.
- Attacks hit Tamra, Bat Yam, and Rehovot, killing at least 10 civilians and injuring 240 others.
- IDF retaliated with precision strikes on missile launchers, air defenses, and radar systems in Iran.
- IDF claims attacks are still below “reference scenario” and warns civilians in Persian before striking.
Israel Warns Civilians in Persian Before Strikes
In a direct message to Iranian civilians, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement early Sunday emphasizing that it prioritizes human life, warning residents in Persian across multiple platforms before launching counterstrikes.
Iran Fires 70 Missiles, Hundreds of Drones
According to Times of Israel, Iran launched a total of 70 ballistic missiles at Israel in three coordinated waves — at 11 p.m., 2 a.m., and 2:55 a.m. — accompanied by dozens of drones.
One missile struck a home in Tamra, killing four civilians. Another hit Bat Yam, resulting in six deaths and nearly 200 injuries. A third projectile landed in Rehovot, injuring an additional 40 people.
Despite the casualties, the IDF said the scale of the attack remains below its projected “reference scenario” for a potential war with Iran, which anticipated significantly higher casualties and infrastructure damage.
Israeli Air Force Retaliates in Overnight Strikes
In response, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted precision strikes on Iranian missile launch infrastructure, targeting both surface-to-surface and surface-to-air systems.
“Launchers that were used earlier to fire missiles at the State of Israel have been destroyed,” the IDF confirmed, adding that Iranian air defense and radar systems were also neutralized in the process.
Outlook
As regional tensions mount, Israeli officials say operations will continue to “hunt down” Iranian launch capabilities, especially in western Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian state media has vowed further retaliation if Israeli strikes persist.
Read More from Virginia Times
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.