As Israelis prepared for the biblical Passover holiday, the day began with repeated air raid sirens for millions of Israelis. In the early morning hours, Iranian forces launched several waves of missiles at Israel. Across large parts of the country – from the Greater Tel Aviv area to the Sharon region and into Judea and Samaria – sirens repeatedly activated, and residents had to seek shelter multiple times.
Earlier that morning, a missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthi militia from Yemen was launched toward southern Israel. According to military officials, the projectile was intercepted, but air raid sirens were sounded there as well.
The missiles were aimed at the densely populated Gush Dan metropolitan area. Several projectiles struck residential areas, including Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan, causing significant damage.
Israeli security and rescue forces at the scene of an impact in Tel Aviv after a missile fired from Iran caused damage to homes and vehicles, April 1, 2026. Photo: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90.
Particularly dramatic is the condition of an 11-year-old girl who was critically injured in an impact in Bnei Brak. Doctors at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer are fighting for her life. The girl suffered severe shrapnel wounds to her limbs and was admitted in critical condition. Her father was also injured and is in moderate condition. In addition, six other children were brought to the emergency room.
Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva also reported numerous casualties. A 12-year-old boy was seriously injured, and his mother sustained moderate injuries. The boy is expected to be transferred to Schneider Children’s Medical Center for further treatment. Another 11 people were treated for minor injuries and taken to nearby hospitals.
Paramedics from the MDA emergency service described the scene on the ground. “We saw destruction and several injured people,” one emergency medic reported. “The 11-year-old girl was semi-conscious and had severe shrapnel wounds. We treated her and transported her to the hospital under intensive medical supervision.”
Aerial photo from the scene in Bnei Brak by the United Hatzalah drone unit. pic.twitter.com/wkKbuxOU8j
— United Hatzalah (@UnitedHatzalah) April 1, 2026
Another paramedic reported on a 13-year-old boy who was injured by the blast wave but remained conscious. He too was taken to the hospital in moderate condition. Rescue teams searched the affected areas to ensure that no additional victims were trapped under the rubble.
In addition to direct hits, damage was also reported elsewhere. In Holon, a fire broke out in an open area as a result of falling debris. In Petah Tikva, parts of intercepted missiles fell to the ground. Several impact sites from interception debris were also recorded in the Sharon area. A building strike also caused a gas leak, which firefighters were able to bring under control.
According to military officials, most of the missiles were intercepted. The repeated, staggered waves of attack point to a deliberate strategy aimed at straining defense systems and putting pressure on the civilian population.
This year, the attack is shaping the start of Passover in a particularly striking way: while the holiday traditionally commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, many Israelis are spending the hours before the festival in immediate proximity to bomb shelters.
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