JERUSALEM — Interceptor missiles lit up the night sky over central Israel early Thursday morning as air raid sirens screamed across Tel Aviv and the Shfela region, signaling a massive new rocket barrage launched from Iranian territory.
The strikes, which began around 4:00 AM local time, mark the third wave of heavy aerial bombardment since midnight as the conflict enters its sixth day of high-intensity warfare.
The “Iron Dome” in Action
Eyewitnesses in Tel Aviv described a “shattered sky” as Israeli air defense systems engaged dozens of incoming projectiles. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that multiple long-range missiles were identified crossing into Israeli airspace from the east. While the majority of the rockets were successfully neutralized, the sheer volume of the barrage forced millions of residents into bomb shelters for the third time in 24 hours.
“The interceptions were constant for nearly twenty minutes,” said one resident in central Tel Aviv. “You could feel the ground shake with every hit. It’s unlike anything we’ve seen in previous rounds.”
Escalation: “Operation True Promise IV”
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack, labeling it part of “Operation True Promise IV.” Tehran has maintained a relentless pace of strikes following the February 28 joint U.S.-Israeli operation that reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israeli defense officials noted a worrying shift in Iranian tactics this morning, reporting the use of cluster-head ballistic missiles. These weapons are designed to fragment into smaller bomblets upon reentry, a move intended to overwhelm interception batteries and increase the “saturation” of the Israeli defense grid.
Global Shockwaves
The early morning barrage has sent global energy markets into a tailspin. Following the IRGC’s announcement that it has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz—a vital artery for 20% of the world’s oil—Brent crude prices surged 15% to $84 per barrel on Thursday morning.
In Washington, the political divide has sharpened. Despite the escalation, the U.S. Senate recently moved to block a resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran, signaling continued American backing for “Operation Epic Fury.”
Casualty Report
Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service, reported that while several people were treated for anxiety and minor injuries sustained while running to shelters, there were no immediate reports of direct fatalities from the 4:00 AM wave.
As the sun rises over a jittery Middle East, military analysts warn that the “tit-for-tat” cycle has now evolved into a full-scale regional conflagration with no clear diplomatic exit in sight.
