Iranian Missile Strikes Tel Aviv, Causing Casualties and Significant Damage

Tel Aviv, March 24: Israeli officials reported that a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv on Tuesday. The explosion resulted in several injuries and caused extensive damage to buildings and vehicles.

Loud blasts were heard throughout the city, with witnesses noting large plumes of smoke rising from both the northern and southern parts of the country’s economic capital.

According to Xinhua, Israeli Army Radio cited security officials stating that the missile was likely a cluster type, containing multiple bomblets, each weighing approximately 100 kilograms. Debris from the missile fell across various locations.

Miki David, the commander of the Home Front Command in the Tel Aviv district, informed reporters at the scene that the missile hit between buildings in northern Tel Aviv, resulting in a powerful explosion that severely damaged three structures. He confirmed that the shelters within the buildings remained intact and that those inside were safe.

Images shared on social media showed a crater formed in the ground due to the attack.

In a statement, the Israeli military announced that search and rescue teams were deployed to several areas in central Israel where reports of the attack were received.

The ‘Magen David Adom’ ambulance service reported that six individuals sustained minor injuries in the attack.

Amid ongoing missile strikes from Iran, air raid sirens were sounded seven times across Israel overnight and into Tuesday morning.

This attack occurred as the regional conflict entered its 25th day, with tensions remaining high, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of ongoing negotiations, which Iran has labeled as ‘fake news.’

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported on Monday, citing senior defense officials, that the Pentagon is considering the potential deployment of air troops to support military operations in Iran.

According to the report, these troops would be from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division’s Immediate Response Force, a brigade of approximately 3,000 soldiers capable of being deployed anywhere in the world within 18 hours. However, no orders have been issued by the Pentagon or U.S. Central Command as of yet.

The report indicated that these forces could be utilized to seize Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub.

Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned another option under consideration. If President Donald Trump grants permission, an attack could also be launched by the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently moving towards the Middle East, involving around 2,500 troops.

The Immediate Response Force has been deployed multiple times in recent years on short notice.

On Monday, U.S. Central Command stated that since the joint military strikes initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Iran on February 28, the U.S. military has conducted over 9,000 strikes in Iran, damaging or sinking more than 140 Iranian naval vessels.