Iran Retaliates: Two Killed, Dozens Injured in Israel

At least two persons was killed and over 40 injured as Iran responded with waves of missiles, by some estimates 150 of them, into Israel hours after it was attacked, marking the inevitable escalation between the two countries that entered the second day.

Israel’s emergency management service, Magen David Adom, gave an indication of casualty figures in posts on X. It stated that 34 were injured in a ‘rocket strike on the Gush Dan area, including: one woman critically injured, one man seriously injured, two moderately injured, and 30 lightly injured’. In another region, EMTs and paramedics were treating and evacuating ’21 patients, one in critical condition, several seriously injured and others in mild to moderate condition.’

The numbers are likely to go up. The Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran’s official news agency reported that missiles were launched from Tehran, and Kermanshah, in western Iran. It said, ‘Vivid images and footage captured by Israelis show Iranian missiles exploding upon impact and creating massive fireballs. A senior Iranian military official, General Ahmad Vahidi said “Operation True Promise 3” — as the Iranian retaliatory strikes are dubbed — will continue for as long as necessary.’

With Israel killing the leaders of Revolutionary Guards and armed forces in its initital strike, Iran’s leader Ayatollah Khameini announced that Mohammad Pakpour and Ali Shadmani, both major generals, would be the replacements respectively.  Iran also claimed to have downed two F-35 fighter jets which the Israelis denied as disinformation. If true it would be the first time the fifth generation US stealth fighter would have been taken down in battle.

Israel meanwhile continued to send in fighter jets targeting different locations in Iran including its nuclear facilities. Its defence minister Israel Katz said that Iran had crossed a red line by targeting civilians.

geopoliticsIran-Israel conflictMagen David AdomMiddle East