JERUSALEM –
The Israeli military has sounded fresh alarms across the country, warning of a renewed missile assault from Iran, heightening fears of a deeper regional escalation following weeks of rising hostilities between the two adversaries.
According to a statement released by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the missile salvo was launched directly from Iranian territory, prompting immediate activation of nationwide air raid sirens and emergency procedures. The IDF instructed civilians to take cover in protected shelters and await further instructions from the Home Front Command.
Explosions and Fires Reported
Loud explosions were heard in and around Jerusalem, with local media and eyewitnesses also reporting fires breaking out near the northern coastal city of Haifa. Initial damage assessments indicate that multiple sites were struck, including areas close to Haifa’s industrial infrastructure.
At least 29 people sustained injuries, with three reported in moderate condition and the rest suffering minor wounds. The Magen David Adom emergency service confirmed the casualties, as emergency response teams scrambled across affected areas.
Air Defences Partially Intercept Attack
Israel’s air defence systems were immediately activated in response, successfully intercepting a number of incoming missiles. However, officials acknowledged that several projectiles penetrated defence layers, resulting in scattered impact zones and fire outbreaks. Civil defence teams worked overnight to extinguish blazes and secure damaged locations.
Escalating Tensions
This latest wave of hostilities follows Israel’s controversial airstrikes earlier this month under “Operation Rising Lion,” which targeted Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure. Tehran vowed retaliation at the time, and the current barrage is widely seen as a direct consequence of those operations.
Military analysts warn that the exchange marks a significant escalation in the long-simmering conflict, with the potential to trigger a wider confrontation across the Middle East.
Call for International De-escalation
The situation has drawn sharp international concern. Several Western governments have urged both sides to exercise restraint, amid fears that continued strikes and counterstrikes could ignite a broader regional war. The United Nations has reiterated calls for immediate diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.
Ongoing Security Measures
The Israeli public has been advised to remain indoors and follow official instructions until the threat is fully neutralized. Security forces remain on high alert, and the government has convened its security cabinet for emergency deliberations.
Editorial Note:
The renewed exchange of firepower between Israel and Iran marks a pivotal and dangerous moment in regional affairs. As international actors step up efforts to mediate, the prospect of an expanded conflict underscores the urgent need for diplomacy and restraint from both sides.
Reported for PakTribune. All rights reserved.