Explosions heard in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem after Iranian missile launches, Israeli military says

ISTANBUL

Explosions were heard Thursday over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem after Iran launched missiles toward Israeli territory, the Israeli military said.

The Israel Defense Forces said its air defense systems were activated to intercept the incoming missiles.

In a statement posted on Telegram, the military urged residents in affected areas to enter protected spaces and remain there until further notice.

“In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the affected areas. The public is asked to act responsibly and follow the instructions -- they save lives,” the statement said.

Sirens sounded across central Israel, including Tel Aviv and occupied East Jerusalem, followed by strong explosions in the sky as interceptor missiles were fired.

Israel’s emergency service Magen David Adom said no injuries had been reported in the initial assessments after the retaliatory attack.

Channel 12 television reported that shrapnel from interception attempts fell in several locations in central Israel.

Regional tensions have escalated since Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28 that has killed more than 1,200 people and injured more than 10,000 others, according to Iranian authorities. The dead include Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.