TEL AVIV — Explosions reverberated across Israel’s skies Friday night as the country intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles, including several that fell near Israel’s main military compound in Tel Aviv and encircled its iconic tower with spiraling plumes of smoke, according to video circulated on social media. The strikes came in at least two waves and fell in at least seven sites in central Israel.
As Iran launched its counterattack against Israel, firing hundreds of ballistic missiles toward the country, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a recorded message addressed to the Iranian people, stating that “Israel’s fight is not with you.”
“The Islamic regime which has oppressed you for almost 50 years threatens to destroy my country, the State of Israel,” he said. “As we achieve our objectives, we are also clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom.”
The attack, which Iranian officials dubbed “Operation Severe Punishment,” came after Israel launched what it said was a preemptive strike against Iran’s nuclear program and military targets earlier in the day.
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The Israeli strikes killed four senior commanders, including Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to the Israeli military and Iranian state media. Nuclear officials were also killed, state media reported. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, promised “severe punishment” for the attacks.
President Donald Trump urged Iran to “make a deal” with Israel “before it is too late.”
At least five people in Israel suffered injuries from shrapnel amid an Iranian missile barrage Friday night — the country’s response to Israeli strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military leadership earlier in the day.
So far, Iran has launched dozens of ballistic missiles toward Israel, according to an Israeli military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive ongoing developments.