Israel vows retaliation after deadly Iranian rocket strikes on cities

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Monday promised harsh retaliation against Tehran following a fresh wave of deadly Iranian rocket attacks on Israeli cities overnight.

“The arrogant dictator from Tehran has become a cowardly murderer who fires targeted shots at the civilian home front in Israel to deter the [Israel Defense Forces] from continuing the attack that is collapsing its capabilities,” Katz wrote on X, presumably referring to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

“The residents of Tehran will pay the price – and soon.”

According to emergency services, eight people were killed and 92 injured in the overnight attacks. The total number of fatalities in Israel since Friday now stands at 23.

Emergency officials reported four strikes in the Tel Aviv area. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said the embassy’s branch office in Tel Aviv sustained “minor damage” from “concussions” caused by a nearby impact, but no injuries were reported.

In Haifa, three people were found dead in the rubble of a collapsed building. Two more bodies were recovered from a site in the town of Bat Yam that was hit the previous day.

In Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv, three people were killed when a rocket made a direct hit on the shelter where they had sought refuge, according to Israeli news outlet ynet.

The military has repeatedly urged civilians to take cover in private or public shelters during attacks, saying such measures save lives.

Israel has been targeting strategic sites in Iran since Friday, including nuclear facilities, senior military officials, scientists, defence infrastructure and key oil and gas installations. The stated goal is to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear weapons and missile programmes.