Jerusalem/Tel Aviv on June 17, 2025.
Tensions between Iran and Israel have sharply escalated for five consecutive days as Tehran fired multiple missile salvos that targeted Tel Aviv and West Bank towns and areas.
Footage released via Reuters shows Iranian missiles flying overhead the West Bank–capturing towns such as Tubas and Ramallah–triggering air raid sirens and prompting immediate shelter-in-place orders, according to footage obtained via YouTube and TimesofIndia.indiatimes.com.
Another Reuters video confirmed that missiles pierced the skies directly above Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, setting off air raid alarms throughout central Israel.
Launch Scale According to Israeli officials, at least 20 missiles were fired on June 17 alone during what the Jerusalem Post described as the second missile barrage of the day (Wsj.com/wpost +4
JPost).
Iran has launched over 400 ballistic missiles and drones towards Israeli cities since last Friday, testing Israel’s defense capabilities (Economic Times/India Times +4; NY Post +4)
Israel’s Iron Dome managed to intercept many incoming rockets, however several missiles made their way through and damaged civilian infrastructure in Tel Aviv and Haifa due to holes in its system (economictimes.indiatimes.com).
One salvo on June 16 destroyed multiple buildings near Tel Aviv’s U.S. consulate, shattering store windows and dislocating residents (Wsj.com). Humanitarian and Civilian Impact
So far, missile exchanges between Israel and Hamas have resulted in at least eight Israeli fatalities and numerous injuries; they also caused significant damage to residential, commercial, and critical infrastructure. Explosion sounds have been widely reported by emergency services in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem while sirens across several major cities warned residents to take cover, whilst emergency sirens warn residents when missiles may strike close by giving warning of imminent blast. For further updates please contact reuters.com @+3 for updates reuters.com @reuters_US@reuters_US for updates @3
Sirens went off repeatedly as missiles passed overhead–particularly over Tubas and parts of the West Bank–causing panic among civilians, and giving rise to more alarm among them, according to media accounts from Youtube, JPost, Reuters.com etc.
Context of the Barrages
Iran’s missile offensive marks its response to Israeli airstrikes which hit Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure – including state TV stations in Tehran and Revolutionary Guard bases, among others – including striking unprecedented airstrikes at them (The Times UK; APN News); as they directly target their military and nuclear infrastructure, including state TV channels in Tehran as well as Revolutionary Guard commander bases (Agence Press News (APN News);
Iran has justified its actions as legitimate self-defense and has threatened further strikes unless Israel stops attacking.
On June 16th, Iran struck back at Israel by firing multiple barrages aimed at Tel Aviv central, reportedly causing structural damage and exposing vulnerabilities in civilian defense systems.
President Donald Trump and European officials have called for immediate de-escalation amid mounting tensions, even as President Trump urges Tehran’s evacuation and highlights U.S. military deterrence in the region, according to apnews.com (Wall Street Journal). There could also be regional and global repercussions.
These missile strikes heighten fears of an increasingly violent regional war. Oil markets, airspace routes and diplomatic relations have all been unnerved by this incident; as well as scheduled nuclear talks set for Oman.
Apnews.com
Russia, China and France–three international actors advocating restraint–have all issued statements urging restraint while Middle Eastern defense readiness remains high.
Looking Forward
The current pattern of daily Iranian missile barrages and Israeli airstrikes shows no sign of abating, with Iran promising further “20-fold” retaliations; Israel vowing to target Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities until they no longer represent an existential threat.
Civilian populations caught between two combatants’ warring sides are caught between both sets of missiles, making international intervention all the more crucial as each missile flight tests diplomatic endurance and defense resolve. Meanwhile, each missile flight tests diplomatic endurance and military resolve. The world watches each missile launch unfold as its impact tests diplomatic resilience and defensive will.