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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-16 at 08:06
HEADLINES
Iran Launches Massive Missile Attack on Israel
Israel Responds with Targeted Strikes on Iran
US and Allies Brace as Regional Tensions Explode
The time is now 04:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 4 a.m., the security situation across Israel and the broader region remains tense and rapidly shifting. Over the past night, Iran launched a significant missile assault on central and northern Israeli cities, with reports indicating approximately one hundred ballistic missiles fired from Iran, targeting areas including Petah Tikva, Bnei Brak, Tel Aviv, and the port city of Eilat. The strikes resulted in at least eight civilian fatalities, including a six-day-old baby pulled from the rubble, and hundreds injured. Hospitals in Israel treated nearly 300 victims, and rescue operations are ongoing. Israeli military sources confirm that in response to the Iranian missile barrage, the Israeli Air Force has conducted targeted strikes on Iranian military sites, including the heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility and the underground Natanz complex, with satellite imagery suggesting damage to multiple nuclear and missile sites across Iran.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has issued a stern warning, promising imminent retaliatory actions against Tehran, comparing future strikes to the "Beirut model," focusing on government and infrastructure targets and warning civilians to evacuate these areas. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces have successfully intercepted eight unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran overnight using the newly operational 'Barak Magen' missile system, installed on Sa’ar 6 missile ships. Since the start of hostilities, approximately 25 UAVs have been shot down, emphasizing Israel's enhanced missile defense capabilities.
Adding to regional volatility, reports indicate ongoing attacks from Yemen’s Houthis, with a missile launched from Yemen falling short and causing no damage, but the Israeli military confirming casualties in the Iranian missile strikes within Israel. Among the casualties are elderly civilians and children, with the death toll rising to eight overnight. The IDF has also confirmed the destruction of Iranian missile launchers and the damage to strategic sites in Iran, including a refinery in Kermanshah and other military infrastructure.
International responses are varied; Russia has unusually begun evacuating its citizens from Iran and suspended consular services amid the chaos, while Australia has closed its embassy in Tehran. The United States, under the Biden administration, reportedly blocked an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, fearing escalation unless Iran first attacks Americans. US officials have also confirmed that the American embassy in Tel Aviv sustained minor damage from the Iranian missile attacks.
Israeli authorities are actively managing a large-scale evacuation operation, with plans to deploy two cruise ships to bring home approximately 200,000 Israelis stranded abroad, as Israel’s airspace remains closed. The government continues to advise caution for Israeli travelers in neighboring countries, with warnings against land crossings into Egypt and Jordan, recommending waiting until airports reopen.
Furthermore, tensions extend to international diplomatic and military arenas. France’s defense exhibition organizers have refused to display Israeli military equipment, citing political reasons, prompting a strong Israeli protest. Meanwhile, satellite imagery reveals extensive damage to Iranian nuclear and missile facilities after Israeli airstrikes, and reports of Israel conducting multiple attacks in western Iran, including in Kermanshah.
In a notable development, former US President Donald Trump reportedly vetoed plans by Israeli officials to target Iran’s Supreme Leader, emphasizing
Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago