Israel thwarts Iranian retaliation and continues military offensive
It was one of the most difficult nights Israel had experienced since the war began with Hamas's attack on October 7. During the night of Friday, June 13, Iran launched 150 ballistic missiles, targeting "dozens of targets," "bases and military infrastructure," according to Tehran. The air defense sirens sounded throughout Israel, especially during the first part of the night, as fighter jets and the layered defense system were heavily engaged against the Iranian strikes. The Home Front Command repeatedly instructed the population to remain in shelters.
At least three people were killed and 70 wounded in this initial massive retaliation, according to the Israeli press. Central Israel suffered the most. A skyscraper was hit in Tel Aviv. An apartment block was destroyed in the nearby city of Ramat Gan. In the affluent city of Rishon LeZion, south of Tel Aviv, a missile exploded near a residential area, causing extensive damage.
The toll from the night could have been even greater. Following the lightning attack they launched in Iran early Friday morning, Israel had expected a massive response. But Iranian capabilities had been so undermined that the salvos of ballistic missiles launched at Israel were less significant than anticipated. According to the New York Times, the initial plan was to launch 1,000 of these projectiles, but the Israeli army managed to thwart these plans thanks to a perfectly executed first phase.
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