Tensions in the Middle East have reached a boiling point after Iran launched a new volley of missile strikes on Israel, marking the fourth day of deadly escalation. The raids focused on military installations, metropolitan centres, and essential infrastructure, with Tel Aviv, Haifa, and places near the Golan Heights receiving the brunt of the damage. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard admitted responsibility, claiming it was in direct reprisal for prior Israeli air strikes.
Israel’s defence systems, such as the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, intercepted scores of incoming missiles but were unable to avoid damage in heavily populated areas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense, saying the country “will not back down in the face of aggression.”
Casualties continue to mount, with over 400 reported dead and thousands displaced in both nations. Civilian casualties, including women and children, have sparked global outrage, prompting humanitarian organizations to call for immediate ceasefire and aid corridors. Hospitals in Tel Aviv and Tehran are reportedly overwhelmed, with medics treating injuries amid power shortages and air raid sirens.
Global leaders have condemned the violence, urging both sides to de-escalate before the conflict spirals into a broader regional war. The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting, while the United States has dispatched a special envoy to mediate. As fears grow of proxy forces being drawn in, the Middle East teeters dangerously close to a wider and deadlier confrontation.