Two people have been killed following an overnight Iranian missile barrage targeting central Israel, with strikes hitting areas near Tel Aviv and causing significant disruption to rail services after shrapnel damaged key infrastructure.
According to Israeli emergency responders, multiple impact sites were recorded across central Israel after air raid sirens sounded throughout the region during the night. The latest attack came amid intensified Israeli military operations in Iran and Lebanon, marking another sharp escalation in regional hostilities.
The fatalities occurred in Ramat Gan, a city bordering Tel Aviv, where authorities say a residential building was struck by what is believed to have been a cluster munition. Police spokesperson Dean Elsdunne said preliminary assessments indicate that the munition exploded above the area, scattering smaller bomblets before one penetrated the building.
“The explosion caused the roof to collapse onto an elderly couple who were inside their room,” Elsdunne said. “Unfortunately, they did not move to a protected shelter when the alarm sounded, and this resulted in a tragic loss of life.”
Cluster munitions detonate mid-air and disperse explosive submunitions over a broad area, making them particularly destructive in populated zones. Both Iran and Israel have previously accused each other of deploying such weapons.
An eyewitness identified only as Omer described the moment of impact as unusually intense.
“We heard a series of powerful explosions — not just one. It sounded like a missile splitting apart,” he said.
Footage from the scene showed emergency workers, police officers, and military personnel navigating debris-filled streets, while damaged buildings and shattered glass reflected the scale of the strike.
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service confirmed that two victims were found dead at the scene.
“We saw smoke rising from a heavily damaged building, with broken glass scattered everywhere,” medics said in a statement.
In nearby Bnei Brak, another city within the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, one person sustained light injuries from shrapnel.
Images released by emergency responders revealed destruction across several locations, including burned vehicles, damaged property, and scattered rubble. Police bomb disposal units were deployed to multiple sites in the Tel Aviv district to clear unexploded debris and assess damage.
The attack also disrupted transport services. Israel’s national railway company announced that shrapnel had damaged platforms at Tel Aviv’s main train station, forcing a temporary suspension of rail operations nationwide. Most services resumed later in the morning after safety inspections.
The Israeli military also released footage showing shattered platform glass and damaged train windows, while Home Front Command rescue teams were dispatched to several impact zones across central Israel.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for the missile attack, stating it was carried out “in revenge for the blood of martyr Dr Ali Larijani and his companions.”
The statement followed Israel’s announcement on Tuesday that it had killed Ali Larijani, described as Iran’s security chief — a death later confirmed by Tehran.
Israeli military officials reported that at least two additional waves of missiles were launched from Iran after the initial deadly strike, triggering fresh alerts across central and southern Israel.
Emergency responders later shared footage of another vehicle engulfed in flames, while Israeli media reported additional fires at separate impact locations linked to the continued missile attacks.
The latest fatalities bring the death toll from missile attacks inside Israel since the outbreak of the current Middle East conflict late last month to 14.
About the Author
