Iranian Missile Strikes Hit Central Israel, Killing At Least Eight

A barrage of Iranian missiles struck central Israel on Monday, June 16, 2025, resulting in at least eight fatalities and dozens of injuries. The cities of Petah Tikva and Bnei Brak were among the hardest hit, bringing the reality of war to civilian populations.

Deadly Overnight Barrage

The attack, launched overnight from Iran, involved a significant number of ballistic missiles. In Petah Tikva, a direct hit on a high-rise apartment building killed four residents. The blast caused widespread damage, shattering glass, damaging a nearby preschool, and littering car windshields with shards. Residents were evacuated and allowed to briefly return to their homes only after Home Front Command (HFC) soldiers cleared each building and floor to ensure safety.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the missile penetrated a reinforced safe room, a rare occurrence. A couple sheltering inside the safe room was killed instantly, and another woman, who was not in a shelter, also lost her life. A fourth victim, a woman in a neighboring building, was killed by the blast wave.

Petah Tikva Sustains Significant Damage

The city of Petah Tikva, home to over 240,000 residents, sustained significant damage. One missile reportedly carried a fragmentation or possible cluster warhead, detonating near residential neighborhoods. While Israeli authorities stated that much of the destruction was caused by shrapnel and debris from intercepted projectiles, the impact was substantial. Emergency teams from Magen David Adom and the Home Front Command responded swiftly to assess damage to homes, apartment buildings, vehicles, and other civilian infrastructure.

National Impact and Retaliation

Nationwide, Iranian attacks on March 3, 2026, led to 289 hospitalizations. The barrage was described as retaliation for intensified joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military targets, with Iran’s reported death toll from those strikes rising to 787. The IDF reported intercepting several missiles, some over Jordan and the West Bank.

Public Support for Military Action

Despite the attacks, many residents of Petah Tikva expressed support for Israel’s military operation against Iran. Miryam, a resident who sheltered in a safe room during the missile strike, stated, “The right thing is to attack Iran; I don’t want them to have this power over us.”

Ongoing Investigation

The IDF is investigating how the missile managed to pierce the reinforced safe room, stating, “Safe rooms are designed to withstand blasts, and this incident is under investigation. Still, they remain the safest protection available — everyone else in the building who sheltered in safe rooms survived unscathed.”

Sources:The Times of Israel, OneIndia, AP News, The Modern York Times