Iran launched several barrages of ballistic missiles at Israel Friday night and early Saturday morning, sending Israelis across the country rushing to shelters as the skies were filled with streaks of light and fireballs from incoming projectiles and Israeli interceptions.
Some 80 people were reported hurt in the strikes, including three people who were critically injured and later succumbed to their wounds. According to Magen David Adom, several more people were seriously hurt. The rest were lightly to moderately injured or suffered acute anxiety.
Iranian media claimed hundreds of missiles were fired in the first barrage late Friday, while the Israel Defense Forces estimated that the actual number stood at less than 100.
Four waves of attacks overnight each consisted of dozens of missiles, according to the IDF, which declined to provide a specific number.
Several missiles impacted central Israel, with large explosions heard in the Tel Aviv area and smoke seen rising over several impact locations.
Home Front Command soldiers rescued a civilian from one of the buildings in the Tel Aviv area that was hit by a ballistic missile, the IDF said.
A large fragment from an intercepted missile hit a town in northern Israel, causing damage, police said.
IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said most of the missiles were intercepted by air defenses or fell short before reaching the country.
