Iran launched a barrage of over 100 ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones, toward Israel Thursday evening, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities. The attacks, which included the use of cluster munitions, triggered air raid sirens across northern, central, and southern Israel, according to reports from the region.
The Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency service reported five minor injuries resulting from the attacks, caused by shrapnel and broken glass. The Israeli military stated that the latest wave of missiles, some containing cluster munitions, followed a press conference earlier in the day where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran had “no longer capabilities to enrich uranium or ballistic missiles” after twenty days of military operations.
Simultaneously, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah continued launching rockets and drones into northern Israel. A military spokesperson confirmed that one of these projectiles struck a residence in Kiryat Shmona, injuring four civilians, two critically.
The attacks approach after twenty days of Israeli strikes targeting Iranian territory, reportedly hitting military sites, intelligence facilities, and nuclear infrastructure. Iranian authorities have reported over 1,000 fatalities as a result of these strikes. Israel has confirmed 15 deaths within its own borders from Iranian attacks since February 28th, while four deaths have been recorded in Palestinian territories.
In response to Thursday’s attacks, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a new wave of strikes “against the infrastructure of the Iranian terrorist regime in the heart of Tehran,” according to a statement posted on social media. The IDF reported attacking more than 130 Iranian targets in the last 24 hours, focusing on ballistic missile and defense systems throughout the country. Military reports indicate the Air Force, in coordination with intelligence, conducted dozens of airstrikes in western and central Iran, aiming to weaken Iran’s ability to retaliate.
Targets included missile launchers, unmanned aerial vehicles, and air defense systems. The IDF stated its objective is to minimize the potential for future attacks on Israeli territory and enhance its aerial superiority over Iran.
A missile launched by Iranian forces struck the Haifa oil refinery, Israel’s primary petroleum processing center. The Ministry of Energy confirmed the attack caused localized power outages in parts of the port city, but reported no significant structural damage or casualties. “The damage to the electricity grid in the north is localized and not significant,” said Minister Eli Cohen, adding that power was restored to most affected areas within an hour.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for the refinery attack, stating it launched precision missiles against the facility and other strategic infrastructure in Israel, including the city of Ashdod and military installations. Firefighters and explosives experts were deployed to the Haifa metropolitan area to inspect intercepted debris and assess potential hazards.
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