TEL AVIV, Israel (BN24) — A wave of Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Israel on Sunday left 23 civilians wounded, with reported damage to buildings and vehicles across central and northern districts, Israeli authorities confirmed.
According to the Israel Defense Forces’ Home Front Command, the missile strikes injured 13 people in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, six in Nes Tziona, three in Haifa, and one on a highway near Beer Yaakov. Of the total wounded, only one individual sustained moderate injuries—a man in his 30s with shrapnel wounds to the upper body—while the others suffered light injuries from impact or debris.
The Iranian attack came in two salvos, the first involving around 20 missiles and the second fewer than 10, the IDF reported. The barrage struck densely populated regions including the Coastal, Central, and Dan districts, prompting a widespread emergency response.
The IDF acknowledged a technical error in its warning system in Haifa, where sirens failed to sound despite the impact of an intercept explosion. Military officials said the damage in Haifa likely stemmed from an Israeli interceptor missile, not a direct Iranian ballistic hit.
Sirens are programmed to trigger only in the event of missile threats, not interceptor activity, to avoid unnecessary panic. However, the incident has raised concerns about civilian warning coverage amid ongoing hostilities.
Despite early reports of unusually severe damage in Tel Aviv, the IDF clarified that no advanced or new weaponry was used, and the destruction was consistent with prior missile impacts.
Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency teams and the Fire and Rescue Authority responded to extensive damage across impacted areas. Emergency personnel reported collapsed residential structures, scorched vehicles, and debris-strewn streets.
“This is a scene of major destruction,” said MDA paramedic Moti Nissan, speaking from central Israel. “Several two-story residential buildings were severely damaged, and some collapsed. We immediately began searching with firefighting forces and the Home Front Command for survivors. We remain prepared to provide medical care should more casualties be discovered during the search.”
Emergency teams were actively scanning additional impact sites Sunday afternoon, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of discovering more injured individuals trapped beneath rubble.
In advance of the attack, the IDF confirmed that missile defense systems were activated, intercepting a portion of the incoming threats. While many of the missiles were shot down midair, fragments and direct hits still caused substantial damage, especially in densely populated areas.
The attack marks the latest escalation in a conflict that has seen intensified Iranian missile fire toward Israeli cities following ongoing Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure.
As tensions escalate, Israeli defense officials continue to prepare for additional salvos while emphasizing the need for vigilance among civilians, especially in regions close to potential impact zones.
At least 54 people in Israel have been killed since the broader conflict erupted in June, with over 1,200 wounded in strikes and retaliatory attacks.
