Iranian missile barrages targeting central Israel, including Tel Aviv, triggered widespread explosions in the skies over the city late Thursday and into early Friday, amid the intensifying U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict now in its second week.
Witnesses reported multiple series of blasts as Israel's multilayered air defense systems including Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow intercepted incoming ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Air raid sirens blared across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and surrounding areas, sending residents rushing to bomb shelters for extended periods.
Iran's state media described the strikes as part of "Operation True Promise 4," claiming direct hits on military and strategic targets in the "heart of Tel Aviv," including areas near Ben Gurion Airport. The IRGC stated the barrages included advanced ballistic missiles such as the Kheibar Sheikan and Khorramshahr-4 variants, some reportedly carrying heavy warheads or cluster munitions.
Israeli authorities confirmed impacts and interception activity, with emergency services responding to several sites.
Firefighters contained blazes at residential buildings near Tel Aviv caused by falling debris or direct strikes, while property damage was reported in outlying areas.
No large-scale casualties were immediately confirmed from the latest wave, though earlier Iranian missile strikes since late February have resulted in deaths and hundreds of injuries across Israel.
The attacks follow joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure, missile production facilities, and leadership targets, which have significantly degraded Iran's ballistic missile launch capacity according to Israeli military assessments.
Iran has vowed continued retaliation, while the conflict has expanded to involve Hezbollah strikes from Lebanon and Iranian drone/missile attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf region.
Israeli Prime Minister's Office and IDF spokespersons emphasized the effectiveness of defenses in minimizing harm and stated operations against Iranian threats would continue.
International calls for de-escalation have intensified, with concerns over broader regional spillover, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and impacts on global energy markets.
This developing situation remains highly fluid, with both sides exchanging fire and civilian populations on high alert.