Iranian missiles hit across Israel, wounding at least 23

A barrage of Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel on Friday afternoon, causing several direct hits and wounding at least 23 people, three of whom are seriously injured, in Haifa, according to Magen David Adom.

Iran launched some two dozen projectiles at the country, the Israel Defense Forces stated. Medical officials said that one of those seriously injured in Haifa is a teenager. They added that 20 were lightly injured in the attacks.

Fragments from interceptor missiles reportedly feel across central and southern Israel, including in Tel Aviv and Beersheva. The extent of the damage in both cities remained unclear, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.

In a separate barrage early on Friday, an Iranian ballistic missile struck in Beersheva, lightly wounding five.

The missile impacted just outside a cluster of apartment buildings, causing significant damage to nearby homes.

On Thursday afternoon, Iran fired 15 ballistic missiles at Israel’s north, with no reports of direct hits or direct casualties from projectiles. Air-raid sirens sounded across northern cities, including in Haifa, sending some 300,000 residents running for bomb shelters.

The Israeli Health Ministry said on Friday that 54 people were admitted to hospitals during the night and morning. One was in moderate condition, 46 in good condition, three were being treated for anxiety-related injuries and three were still undergoing medical evaluation, it stated.

Most of the lightly injured sustained harm en route to protected areas or required psychological assistance due to anxiety.

Since “Operation Rising Lion” began on June 13, Israeli hospitals have admitted more than 2,500 injured people across the country. The majority have been discharged, with some 130 currently receiving treatment.

Friday’s attacks follow a missile barrage the previous day that wounded hundreds of Israelis, including at Beersheva’s Soroka Medical Center and residential areas in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Holon.

“Iran’s terrorist tyrants launched missiles at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and at a civilian population in the center of the country,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday.

“We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran,” he said.

Israeli air defenses intercepted four Iranian drones overnight Thursday, including one targeting the Haifa area. The Israeli Air Force downed the remaining three drones in the Dead Sea area.

Over the past week, the Israeli Air Force and Navy have intercepted hundreds of Iranian drones fired at the Jewish state. More than 95% of threats approaching Israeli airspace have been successfully neutralized, the military said.

IDF observation units are working in close coordination with the air force’s aerial defense systems and aircraft, the Navy’s missile boats and other security personnel to ensure the protection of Israel’s skies, the military added.

Alongside ongoing offensive operations aimed at degrading the Iranian regime’s military and nuclear capabilities, the IDF is actively intercepting surface-to-surface missiles and drones that have targeted population centers with the intent to kill Israeli civilians.

IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin emphasized the military’s ongoing efforts to thwart a broad range of threats.

“Our defensive systems—in the air, at sea and on land—are operating around the clock to intercept threats,” he said on Thursday. “This is not only to counter the missile threat. Since the beginning of the operation, we have successfully intercepted over 480 UAVs launched toward Israeli territory.”

“We are constantly assessing the situation on the home front,” he said. “Our policy is to do everything we can to strike a balance between the top priority of saving lives and the need to maintain and ease daily life as much as possible.”

Defrin noted that the IDF is acting on seven fronts, prepared for both defense and offense. “Even this weekend, IDF soldiers and commanders will continue operating across all arenas to maintain safety and achieve the goals of this war,” he said.

“As a society that cherishes life, we stand strong together,” Defrin said.

© JNS