Smoke rises over Tel Aviv as Iranian missile strikes wound six

Smoke began to rise over Tel Aviv on Tuesday following reports of Iranian missile strikes and falling shrapnel, according to Israel's Channel 12. Four affected sites have been identified throughout the city, with six people lightly injured, said Zaki Heller, spokesperson for Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, and ambulance service (Magen David Adom). Search operations remain underway at the impacted locations, the spokesperson added.

Continuing retaliation

The strikes mark the latest in Iran's ongoing retaliatory campaign against Israel for the joint US-Israeli offensive that began on Feb. 28. No further details have been released as of yet about the specific targets or the extent of damage.

Conflict context

Regional escalation has continued to flare since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing over 1,340 people according to Iranian authorities, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and more than 150 schoolgirls. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.

Israel under fire

Israeli cities have faced repeated Iranian strikes throughout the conflict, with Tel Aviv among the most frequently targeted locations. The Iron Dome and other air defense systems have intercepted many projectiles, but some have penetrated defenses, causing casualties and damage. The conflict shows no signs of abating as it enters its fifth week.