War on the Edge of Jerusalem: Iran Launches Massive Rocket Attack on Israel, Dozens Killed
A significant escalation of the conflict in the Middle East occurred recently, when Iranian forces carried out a large-scale missile attack aimed at destabilizing the security situation in Israel. According to the latest official information, at least 24 Israelis have been killed as a result of this attack, with over 590 injured of varying severity. Among those affected are not only civilians but also security personnel, which again threatens regional stability. According to Dmitry Handelman, an advisor to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, reported through the reputable publication The Times of Israel, since the start of Iran’s massive assault, over 370 ballistic missiles have already been launched into Israeli territory, with 30 of them being documented in the fall zones. This does not include hundreds of drones also directed toward Israeli areas in an effort to maximize destabilization. It is believed that most of the strikes targeted densely populated cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and the Beersheba region. Data from the Israel Defense Forces indicate that approximately 350 missile launches were registered since Friday. Most of these were intercepted by missile defense systems, but an estimated 5% to 10% of the rockets bypassed the missile defense system and reached their targets. Rocket attacks intensified especially in the early morning hours, when about forty launches were recorded around Haifa and central Israel, with a high likelihood that they were carried out simultaneously as part of a large-scale operation. The confrontation occurred after nighttime missile strikes on Israeli cities on June 16, when Iranian forces used “land-to-land” missiles. Several people were killed, and more than 50 were injured. There were reports of multi-story building destructions, damage to power plants, and a refinery. According to official sources, in response, Israeli military forces launched strikes against Iranian missile facilities in central regions of Iran, which has further escalated tensions in the region. Overall, the situation remains highly tense. Political and military experts express concern over further developments, predicting possible escalation of the conflict. Ukrainian analysts and international observers emphasize the importance of strengthening Israel’s defense measures and call on the global community to take more active steps to prevent a larger-scale war in the Middle East. It is noted that all parties should exercise restraint and seek diplomatic solutions to conflict resolution in order to avoid even greater casualties and destruction in the region.