June 19, 2025 | Tel Aviv, Israel — Tensions in the Middle East surged early Thursday as Iran launched a series of missile strikes targeting Israel’s urban centers, with Tel Aviv and Be’er Sheva bearing the brunt of the attack. The strikes, which began around 3:30 a.m. local time, caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and a hospital in Be’er Sheva.
Emergency responders confirmed that at least 47 individuals were injured in the attack. Several victims are in critical condition, and hospitals in the affected regions have been placed on high alert. First responders were seen evacuating patients and staff from damaged hospital wings, while security forces cordoned off the bombed sites.
According to Iranian state media, the missile barrage was a "precision strike" aimed at what Tehran claimed was a secret Israeli military intelligence facility. However, the accuracy of that claim has been challenged by Israeli officials and local journalists, who confirmed that civilian areas were primarily impacted.
Eyewitnesses in Tel Aviv described scenes of chaos as sirens wailed and explosions shattered the early morning calm. “We were sleeping when the sirens started. Within minutes, the entire building shook,” said Tamar Levy, a resident near the stock exchange. “Glass shattered everywhere. We are lucky to be alive.”
In Be’er Sheva, patients at a hospital that took a direct hit had to be moved to nearby facilities, straining an already overstretched healthcare system. Images from the scene showed shattered windows, debris-covered wards, and emergency teams working frantically to rescue those trapped under rubble.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have launched an investigation into the strike and are assessing the full scope of the damage. In a brief statement, the IDF said it "reserves the right to respond forcefully" and assured citizens that "all necessary measures are being taken to protect the nation."
This latest assault marks one of the most direct and provocative missile attacks by Iran on Israeli territory in recent years. While both nations have engaged in covert operations and proxy conflicts, open military strikes on urban Israeli centers by Iran are rare and carry the risk of further escalation into a full-blown regional conflict.
Global leaders have expressed concern over the potential for a wider war. The United Nations has called for restraint and urged both sides to return to diplomatic channels. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the attack, calling it “a reckless and dangerous escalation,” and reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to Israel’s security.
As of now, the airspace over central and southern Israel remains partially closed, and citizens have been advised to stay near shelters. Military analysts warn that further retaliatory actions from either side could trigger a dangerous cycle of violence across the region.