(JNS) A barrage of Iranian missiles struck several locations across Israel on Friday afternoon, resulting in several direct hits and wounding at least 17 people.
According to the IDF, Iran fired approximately two dozen projectiles at the country. One missile struck in Haifa, injuring several people, including a teenager and two others who were in serious condition, according to medical officials.
Additional impacts were reported in central and southern Israel, including in Tel Aviv and Beersheva. The extent of the damage in both cities was not immediately clear, although there were no initial reports of injuries.
In a separate barrage early on Friday morning, an Iranian ballistic missile struck in Beersheva, lightly wounding five people.
The missile impacted just outside a cluster of apartment buildings, causing significant damage to nearby homes.
On Thursday afternoon, some 15 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel’s north, with no reports of direct hits or direct casualties from projectiles. Air-raid sirens sounded across northern cities, including in Haifa, sending some 300,000 residents running for bomb shelters.
דיווחים על נפילה בדרום הארץ; מד”א: “לא התקבלו דיווחים על נפגעים”
(צילום: תיעוד מבצעי מד”א) @ItayBlumental @Itsik_zuarets pic.twitter.com/wCf0B1aEaI— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) June 20, 2025
The Israeli Health Ministry said on Friday that 54 individuals were admitted to hospitals during the night and morning. Of those, one was in moderate condition, 46 were in good condition, three were being treated for anxiety-related injuries, and three were still undergoing medical evaluation.
Most of the lightly injured sustained harm while making their way to protected areas or required psychological assistance due to anxiety.
Since the start of “Operation Rising Lion” on June 13, more than 2,500 injured individuals have been admitted to hospitals across Israel. The majority have already been discharged, with some 130 individuals currently receiving treatment.
Friday’s attacks follow a missile barrage the previous day that wounded hundreds of Israelis, including at Beersheva’s Soroka Medical Center and residential areas in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Holon.
“Iran’s terrorist tyrants launched missiles at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and at a civilian population in the center of the country,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X on Thursday.
“We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran,” he said.
Meanwhile, Israeli air defenses intercepted four Iranian drones overnight Thursday, including one targeting the Haifa area. The Israeli Air Force downed the remaining three UAVs in the Dead Sea area.
Over the past week, the IAF and the Israeli Navy have intercepted hundreds of Iranian drones fired at the Jewish state. More than 95% of threats approaching Israeli airspace have been successfully neutralized, the military said.
IDF observation units are working in close coordination with the IAF’s aerial defense systems and aircraft, the Navy’s missile boats and other security personnel to ensure the protection of Israel’s skies, the military added.
Alongside ongoing offensive operations aimed at degrading the Iranian regime’s military and nuclear capabilities, the IDF is actively intercepting surface-to-surface missiles and UAVs that have targeted population centers with the intent to kill Israeli civilians.
IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin emphasized on Thursday the military’s ongoing efforts to intercept threats from multiple fronts.
“Our defensive systems—in the air, at sea and on land—are operating around the clock to intercept threats. This is not only to counter the missile threat; since the beginning of the operation, we have successfully intercepted over 480 UAVs launched toward Israeli territory,” Defrin said.
“We are constantly assessing the situation on the home front,” he continued. “Our policy is to do everything we can to strike a balance between the top priority of saving lives and the need to maintain and ease daily life as much as possible.”
Defrin noted that the IDF is acting on seven fronts, prepared for both defense and offense. “Even this weekend, IDF soldiers and commanders will continue operating across all arenas to maintain safety and achieve the goals of this war,” he said.
“As a society that cherishes life, we stand strong together,” Defrin said.
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