Israel-Iran conflict escalates with rising death toll from missile exchanges

Tensions between Israel and Iran are surging as both nations continue to exchange missile strikes, resulting in a growing number of casualties on both sides

Iran launched 370 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel over a four-day escalation, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, CNN reported.

Since the hostilities began on Friday, at least 24 people have been killed in Israel, and 592 others injured, including 10 in critical condition. The attacks have struck 30 locations across the country, the statement added.

In Iran, the death toll has also continued to rise. The country’s health ministry, as cited by state media on Sunday, confirmed that at least 224 people have been killed since Friday amid the ongoing conflict.

On the other hand, 224 people — including 70 women and children — were killed in Israeli attacks on Iran, Al Jazeera reported. Among the dead were senior IRGC officials, including the intelligence chief and two generals. The strikes occurred Sunday amid escalating conflict.

The figures mark one of the deadliest exchanges between the two nations in recent years, as tensions spiral in the region.

US embassy in Israel closed

According to Anadolu Agency, US Embassy in Israel will remain closed due to ongoing security concerns following Iranian missile strikes, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced on Monday.

The latest escalation between Israel and Iran followsJune 13 Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile facilities that killed military commanders and scientists, prompting Iran to retaliate with ballistic missiles that caused Israeli casualties and property damage.

Iran strikes Israeli city of Haifa

Iranian missiles struck Israel's Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa before dawn on Monday, killing at least eight people and destroying homes, prompting Israel's defence minister to warn that Tehran residents would "pay the price and soon".

The dangers of further escalation loomed over a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders in Canada, with US President Donald Trump expressing hope on Sunday that a deal could be done but no sign of the fighting abating on a fourth day of war.

The latest fatalities in Israel, reported by Israel's national emergency services, raised its death toll to 23 since Friday.

Israeli attacks in Iran have killed at least 224 people since Friday, Iran's health ministry has said.

At least 100 more were wounded in Israel in the overnight blitz, part of a wave of attacks by Tehran in retaliation for Israel's strikes targeting the nuclear and ballistic missile programmes of sworn enemy Iran.

Reuter informs that at least 100 more were wounded in the overnight blitz, part of a wave of attacks by Tehran in retaliation for Israel's pre-emptive strikes targeting the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of sworn enemy Iran.

Search and rescue operations were underway in Haifa where around 30 people were wounded, emergency authorities said, as dozens of first responders rushed to the strike zones.

Fires were seen burning at a power plant near the port, media reported.

Video footage showed several missiles over Tel Aviv and explosions could be heard there and over Jerusalem.

Several residential buildings in a densely populated neighbourhood of Tel Aviv were destroyed in a strike that blew out the windows of hotels and other nearby homes just a few hundred meters from the US Embassy branch in the city.

The US ambassador said the building sustained minor damage, but there were no injuries to personnel.

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.

'New method'

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the latest attack employed a new method that caused Israel's multi-layered defence systems to target each other and allowed Tehran to successfully hit many targets, without providing further details.

The Israeli Defence Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strikes.

There were no reports in Israel of interceptor missiles hitting each other. Israeli officials have repeatedly said its defence systems are not 100% and have warned of tough days ahead.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement: "The arrogant dictator of Tehran has become a cowardly murderer who targets the civilian home front in Israel to deter the IDF from continuing the attack that is collapsing his capabilities."

"The residents of Tehran will pay the price, and soon."

The death toll in Iran was already at least 224, with 90% of the casualties reported to be civilians, an Iranian health ministry spokesperson said.

All the fatalities in Israel have been civilians, according to Israeli authorities.