In a troubling update from Israel, the Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency service reported that five individuals were killed and 92 others injured in the latest missile strikes carried out by Iran on Monday. This marks an increase from an earlier toll of four deaths, as reported by AFP. The casualties resulted from strikes on four different sites in central Israel, with the deceased comprising two women and two men, all around the age of 70, along with one additional fatality. The MDA also indicated that search and rescue operations were still ongoing at two of the affected locations.
Amidst the rising tensions, New Delhi announced that its diplomats are actively assisting Indian students in relocating to safer areas within Iran. According to a statement from the Indian Foreign Ministry, the Indian Embassy in Tehran is closely monitoring the security situation, ensuring the safety of its citizens. Reports indicate that approximately 10,000 Indian nationals, including over 2,000 students, are currently in Iran. This move comes as Tehran has closed its airspace, prompting the Indian government to facilitate the relocation of its citizens.
In response to the missile strikes, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, stating that residents of Tehran would "pay the price" for the Iranian attacks on Israeli civilians. In a post on his Telegram channel, Katz described Iran's actions as cowardly and aimed at deterring the Israeli military from its ongoing operations. He emphasized the need for accountability for the attacks targeting Israeli homes.
Iranian officials claimed that their missile strikes on Israel were successful, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stating that their missiles effectively hit multiple targets. The strikes resulted in significant damage to residential buildings across various Israeli cities, as reported by the Associated Press.
In a related development, Iran executed a man found guilty of espionage for Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad. This execution marks the third such case in recent weeks and underscores the ongoing tensions between the two nations, as reported by Reuters.
The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, reported minor damage caused by one of the Iranian missile strikes near the U.S. embassy branch in Tel Aviv. Fortunately, no American personnel were injured during the incident, and both the U.S. embassy and consulate in Israel remained closed on Monday.
In retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that their air force targeted the Quds Force headquarters in Tehran. Israeli fighter jets successfully struck these facilities, which are believed to have been planning terrorist operations against Israel through Iranian proxies in the region. This operation was guided by precise intelligence from the IDF's Intelligence Directorate.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated significantly, with both sides exchanging strikes that have resulted in numerous casualties. As the conflict enters its fourth day, Israeli strikes in Iran have reportedly killed 224 people, with a significant portion of these casualties being civilians. Meanwhile, Iranian attacks have left at least 14 Israelis dead, with hundreds more injured.
As global leaders prepare for a meeting in Canada to discuss the escalating conflict, the situation remains critical. The foreign policy chief of the European Union has called for an urgent video conference of EU foreign ministers to address the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
As tensions rise, both Israel and Iran continue to prepare for further confrontations. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism regarding a potential peace deal between the two nations, claiming that discussions are ongoing. However, the reality on the ground remains volatile, with civilian casualties mounting and diplomatic efforts being overshadowed by military actions.
