An Iranian missile struck an oil refinery in Israel’s coastal city of Haifa on Sunday, resulting in three fatalities, an Israeli official confirmed on Monday following the lifting of a military gag order.
This confirmation removes previous reporting restrictions, revealing details of the attack amidst the most intense historical confrontation between longtime adversaries Iran and Israel.
Thick black smoke was observed billowing from the extensive refinery complex early Monday by an AFP journalist. This strike is part of nightly barrages launched by Iran targeting Israel, with some missiles successfully evading the country’s advanced air defence systems.
The Iranian attacks have impacted Tel Aviv, the central hub, and other cities and towns, including Haifa, causing widespread destruction, igniting fires, and leaving residents sifting through rubble.
Israeli officials reported that 11 people were killed by Iranian missiles overnight, raising the total death toll since the attacks began on Friday to 24. Meanwhile, Iran’s health ministry stated that at least 224 people had been killed in their country.
Iran’s latest missile assaults followed waves of intense Israeli air raids that targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities but also hit residential areas and fuel depots.
The Israeli military announced on Monday that its forces had destroyed one-third of Iran’s surface-to-surface missile launchers after a series of strikes.
