On June 13th, Iranian forces initiated “Operation True Promise III”, firing over 150 ballistic missiles and 100 drones at Israel in response to Israeli airstrikes inside Iran. These barrages have hit multiple cities nationwide resulting in significant casualties, infrastructure damage, and fears of widening conflict.
- Tel Aviv & Central Israel Tel Aviv was struck by several missiles which penetrated air defenses and hit residential and commercial structures, shattering high-rise apartment windows and sparking fires; at least one civilian died and over 60 were injured (source en.wikipedia.org).
Bat Yam: On 25 April 2011, a missile struck a residential building, killing three individuals–including an elderly woman in her 60s and an 11-year-old boy–and injuring about 35 more; with approximately 35 people initially reported missing (en.wikipedia.org).
Rehovot and Kiryat Ekron: Missile strikes damaged laboratories at the Weizmann Institute of Science as well as striking a shopping mall, leading to around 200 injuries across these two cities (Sources: Wikipedia and NYPost.com, with injuries totalling 12).
Rishon LeZion: A ballistic missile struck homes, killing two individuals and injuring approximately 20 more before destroying multiple residences, according to NYPost and Wikipedia reports. - Northern Israel Tamra (east of Haifa): A ballistic missile struck a two-story family home, killing one person and injuring 14 others, before another missile strike claimed three Khatib family members – including their 13 and 20 year-old daughters, were also killed (sources: En.wikipedia.org, Bild.de and Jpost for details). For further reading see: [http://en.wikipedia.org, Bild.de and Jpost for updates].
Haifa and Surrounding Towns: Sirens were heard as missiles and drone swarms flew overhead, inflicting damage near neighborhoods while striking Haifa’s oil refinery caused fires (for more details visit apnews.com, thetimes.co.uk or nypost.com for updates).
Northern District: Additional missile strikes occurred across multiple towns and open areas in northern Israel, leading to five fatalities and unknown numbers of injuries (nypost.com; en.wikipedia.org +4; jpost.com +4) - Jerusalem and Southern Areas Jerusalem: Explosions and sirens sounded alarms as drones and missiles flew overhead; multiple strikes have been confirmed inside and around Jerusalem but casualty numbers remain unknown.
Other Cities: Fragments and interceptions were reported throughout Tel Aviv suburbs such as Ramat Gan and central zones such as Hod HaSharon, with infrastructure damage including damaged roads and burned vehicles (reuters.com/ +4 theguardian.com +4 en.wikipedia org+4
Magen David Adom and hospital records indicate:
13 Israeli civilians have died across Tel Aviv, the north, Bat Yam and Tamra, according to Wikipedia and APNews.com (enwikipedia.org and apnews.com respectively).
More than 171 have been injured, from minor to critical injuries; with 200+ reported across various towns. For further details and statistics visit En.Wikipedia.Org on Page 4.
Approximatelly 35 people were initially reported as missing after the Bat Yam strike (en.wikipedia.org, plus one).
- Infrastructure Impact
Residential: Multiple high-rise buildings in Tel Aviv and Bat Yam have been severely damaged or destroyed, forcing approximately 100 residents to move due to debris accumulation and structural instability.
Scientific & Commercial: Damage to Weizmann Institute labs in Rehovot and Kiryat Ekron Mall disrupted operations. Parts of IDF headquarters also sustained hits demonstrating coexistence of civilian and strategic targets (wikipedia +1; NYPost.com +1).
Critical Services: Fires broke out near Haifa oil refinery, while in Ramat Gan, multiple buildings burned down and infrastructure across central Israel experienced fragment hits (source en.wikipedia.org for details).
- Wider Context
Iran has demonstrated its intention to switch their strategy, shifting away from proxy warfare towards direct strikes against Israeli home front targets and direct missile launches on Israeli citizens’ lives. Israel responded with enhanced shelter alerts, large scale evacuation drills and continued airstrikes inside Iran on oil depots and military facilities.
Looking Ahead
With both nations threatening additional action, the conflict appears likely to intensify further. Israel’s use of missile interception has so far prevented full-scale disaster from unfolding; but Iran’s attacks in civilian areas indicate a dangerous turn of events. Both regional powers and global actors are carefully watching this trade of insults which risks developing into something much broader and dangerous.