JERUSALEM

Sirens sounded on Friday morning in central Israel, including in the capital of Tel Aviv, due to a second Iranian missile barrage within an hour, the Israeli army said.

Air defense systems were trying to intercept them, the army said in a statement.

Later, sirens were heard throughout central Israel, including Tel Aviv, according to an Anadolu reporter.

Israelis in the targeted areas rushed to shelters and safe rooms.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that explosions were heard in central Israel during attempts to intercept the missiles.

Since Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, killing some 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, hostilities have escalated.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

*Writing by Serdar Dincel