Jerusalem, June 18: In a dramatic escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, Iran has launched nearly 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since June 13, resulting in 24 fatalities and leaving more than 800 civilians injured, according to an official statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The attacks have caused widespread panic, with at least 3,800 residents evacuated from border communities and vulnerable areas. Iranian state media claims the strikes were in retaliation to Israeli air raids on its strategic assets and proxy forces in the region, particularly in Syria and Lebanon.
Most of the missiles were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome and David’s Sling defense systems. However, several projectiles managed to bypass these defenses, causing damage to residential neighborhoods, critical infrastructure, and military installations. Hospitals in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem have been placed on high alert as emergency teams deal with the rising number of casualties.
Iranian military sources have declared that the missile strikes are “a warning” and could intensify if Israeli operations continue. The Israeli defense establishment, meanwhile, has vowed to respond with “unprecedented force.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu chaired an emergency security meeting and stated, “This is a red line. Any attack on Israeli citizens will be met with full retaliation. We will not allow Iran to destabilize the region.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations and global powers, including the United States and European Union, have expressed concern over the potential outbreak of a broader regional war. Diplomatic backchannels are reportedly active, but neither side appears willing to de-escalate at this stage.
Military analysts say this marks one of the most intense exchanges between the two nations in years and could push the Middle East into a prolonged conflict if not contained soon.
The situation remains highly volatile, and both Israeli and Iranian forces are on maximum alert, raising fears of further attacks in the coming days.
