Watch: Iran strikes southern Israel; thick black smoke fills sky as missile hits high-rise apartment

An Iranian ballistic missile struck the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on Friday, causing extensive damage near residential areas but no reported casualties. The missile hit just outside apartment blocks, igniting several vehicles and damaging nearby homes. Firefighters were deployed to control blazes at the scene.

Sirens were activated across Beersheba and surrounding towns following the launch. The Israeli military confirmed that “sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel,” and said interception efforts were underway.

This strike comes a day after Iranian missiles hit a major hospital in southern Israel and residential buildings in Tel Aviv, wounding 240 people. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz blamed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating, “the military has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist.”


Israel has since responded by targeting Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, part of its nuclear infrastructure. Iranian state television said the facility had been evacuated in time, and “no radiation danger whatsoever” was reported.

As the situation escalates, diplomatic efforts continue. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said after meeting US officials that the Middle East “remains perilous,” and that a two-week window exists to avoid deepening conflict. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is due to meet European diplomats in Geneva.


Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have reached deep into Iran, including the city of Rasht, while Iran remains under a near-total internet blackout.