Israel says Tehran residents to ‘pay price’ after Tel Aviv, Haifa attacks

Missiles from Iran hit Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa in Israel early Monday, resulting in at least eight fatalities and widespread destruction of homes, leading Israel’s defence minister to issue a warning that residents of Tehran would “pay the price and soon.”

The risks of heightened tensions overshadowed a gathering of the Group of Seven leaders in Canada, as U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Sunday that an agreement could be reached, yet there was no indication of the conflict easing on the fourth day of warfare.

The recent deaths in Israel, disclosed by the national emergency services, increased the total fatalities to 23 since Friday. The Iranian health ministry reported that Israeli strikes in Iran have resulted in a death toll of at least 224 since Friday.

Overnight attacks in Israel left at least 100 additional injuries, part of a series of assaults by Tehran in response to Israeli operations aimed at Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile initiatives.

Emergency authorities reported that search and rescue efforts commenced in Haifa, where approximately 30 individuals were injured, as numerous first responders hurried to the impacted areas. Media reported seeing fires burning at a power facility close to the port.

Video recordings captured multiple missiles above Tel Aviv, and explosions were audible in both that city and Jerusalem. Numerous apartment structures in a crowded area of Tel Aviv were annihilated in an attack that shattered the windows of hotels and other nearby residences just a few hundred meters away from the U.S. Embassy’s branch in the city. The U.S. ambassador reported that the structure experienced slight damage, but no staff were injured.

Guydo Tetelbaun was in his Tel Aviv apartment when the notifications arrived just after 4 a.m. (0100 GMT)

“As usual, we went into the (shelter) that’s right across the street there. And within minutes, the door of the (shelter) blew in,” the 31-year-old chef said.

“A couple of people came in bloody, all cut up. And then when we came to the apartment, after it quietened down, we saw there wasn’t much of it… Walls are caved in, no more glass,” he added.

“It’s terrifying because it’s so unknown. This could be the beginning of a long time like this, or it could get worse, or hopefully better, but it’s the unknown that’s the scariest.”

The predawn missiles also struck near Shuk HaCarmel, a popular market in Tel Aviv that typically draws large crowds of residents and tourists buying fresh fruit and vegetables, and to popular bars and restaurants. A residential street in nearby Petah Tikva and a school in ultra-Orthodox Jewish city Bnei Brak were also hit.