During the early hours of Monday, Iran launched a series of ballistic missile and drone attacks against the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa, in response to Israeli bombings that destroyed Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure days earlier.
The offensive left at least eight dead in Israel and caused material damage, including at a United States embassy building in Tel Aviv. Although most of the 65 missiles were intercepted, some struck densely populated areas, raising the total number of Israeli deaths to 24 since Friday, according to the spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The United States embassy sustained minor damage due to shock waves, although no injuries were reported among diplomatic staff. However, the shelter-in-place order and office closures remained in effect. The attack also left 287 people injured, most with minor injuries, according to Israel's Ministry of Health.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Tehran "will pay the price and soon," although he assured that the objective is not to harm Iranian civilians. He added that Tehran residents could be forced to evacuate areas housing military infrastructure.
The Israeli Air Force has already resumed attacks against command centers of the Revolutionary Guard and the Iranian army, while rescue teams continue working in the affected areas in Haifa and Tel Aviv.
One of the hardest-hit areas was the Shuk HaCarmel market in Tel Aviv, normally crowded with residents and tourists. Several residential buildings were destroyed, and a witness reported that the shelter near his home was partially destroyed by the blast wave. Impacts were also reported at a school in Bnei Brak and a residential street in Petah Tikva.
Iran, meanwhile, stated that its attack used an unprecedented tactic to confuse Israeli defense systems, such as the "Iron Dome." According to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the offensive achieved "maximum impact" despite Western support for Israel. Iranian authorities reported that Israeli bombings have left at least 224 dead in Iran.
