Israel and Iran exchanged new attacks on Sunday, resulting in civilian casualties and escalating fears of a wider regional conflict. Both militaries have urged civilians on the opposing side to take precautions amid the intensifying hostilities.
An Iranian Health Ministry spokesperson, Hossein Kermanpour, reported that since the onset of Israeli strikes, 224 people have died and over 1,200 have been injured, with civilians accounting for 90% of the casualties. Among those killed were 60 individuals on Saturday, half of whom were children, when a 14-story apartment building was destroyed in Tehran.
Israel’s military, which initiated the attacks on Friday aiming to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, has warned Iranians living near military facilities to evacuate. Early on Monday, Israeli forces struck surface-to-surface missile sites in central Iran.
“Iran will pay a heavy price for the murder of civilians, women, and children,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared from a balcony overlooking damaged apartments in Bat Yam, a town south of Tel Aviv, where six people were killed.
In response, Iran’s armed forces advised residents of Israel to leave the vicinity of “vital areas” for their safety. Explosions shook Tel Aviv in the afternoon as Iran launched its first daylight missile raid since the conflict intensified.
Israeli authorities confirmed that at least 10 people, including children, have been killed so far. Later that evening, Iran launched a second wave of missiles, striking a residential street in Haifa, a diverse city in northern Israel. The national emergency service reported nine injuries from the strike, with two additional injuries following a missile impact in the south.
Iran has informed mediators Qatar and Oman that it is unwilling to discuss a ceasefire with the United States while under Israeli attack, according to an official briefed on the communications.
The escalating violence has raised international concern, with calls for restraint and dialogue to prevent further civilian suffering and potential regional destabilization.
