Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Friday that Israel would “step up a level” and widen its strikes in Iran after fresh Iranian missile fire set off sirens in central and southern Israel, adding to earlier alerts in Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank and sending civilians back into shelters.
In a statement issued after a security assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had warned “the Iranian terror regime” to stop firing missiles at Israel’s civilian population.
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Defense Minister Israel Katz (center) and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir (right)
(Photo: Defense Ministry)
“Despite the warnings, the fire continues,” Katz said. “Therefore, IDF strikes in Iran will step up a level and expand to additional targets and areas that assist the regime in building and operating the weapons used against Israeli civilians.”
Sirens sounded Friday in parts of central and southern Israel as the military said it intercepted a threat heading toward the south, while another internationally banned cluster munition fired toward central Israel fell in an open area.
Two homes in the central city of Kfar Saba sustained heavy damage due to falling interception debris. The Dan Accadia Hotel in Herzliyah was also damaged by interception fragments.
Kfar Saba home takes heavy damage due to falling interception debris from iranian missile
(Video: Kfar Saba municipality)
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Kfar Saba home takes heavy damage due to falling interception debris from iranian missile
(Photo: Kfar Saba municipality)
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The Dan Accadia Hotel in Herzliyah dammaged by interception fragments after Iranian missile attack
(Photo: from social media)
The Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated several people who were injured while running to shelters, as well as two others who were lightly hurt in a traffic accident during the sirens in Ramat Gan.
Earlier, alerts were issued for central Israel, Jerusalem, parts of the West Bank and later in southern Israel as the military said it had identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory.
The IDF said air defense systems were operating to intercept the threat. The military later said the incoming salvo had been intercepted. No damage or injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s military said three missiles were launched toward the kingdom over the past 24 hours, with two intercepted and a third falling in eastern Jordan. It said there were no casualties, but the attack caused property damage.