Iran, Israel exchange deadly strikes in spiralling air war

Iran launched missiles at Israeli cities on Monday after Israeli strikes deep inside the Islamic republic, raising Israel's death toll by 11 on day four of an escalating air war.

- Agence France-Presse

JERUSALEM:

After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel on Friday launched a surprise aerial campaign targeting sites across Iran, saying the attacks aimed to prevent its arch-foe from acquiring atomic weapons —a charge Tehran denies.

Israel's strikes have so far killed at least 224 people, including top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, according to Iranian authorities.

In retaliation, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said it had "successfully" struck Israel with a salvo of missiles and warned of "effective, targeted and more devastating operations" to come.

The Iranian attacks hit Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Petah Tikva and Haifa — with shattered homes, smouldering wreckage and stunned residents picking through debris. "The entire shelter shook," said Shlomi Biton, who had taken cover with his five children in Haifa. "There were many, many explosions."

Ido, a student whose house was hit, recalled scenes of panic. "There were 12 to 13 children there in the shelter screaming."