In one of the most severe escalations since the war began on February 28, 2026, Iran launched its largest ballistic missile barrage against Israel to date, according to The Times of Israel and Israeli military sources. The attack unfolded on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — just before the start of the Jewish holiday of Passover — triggering nonstop air raid sirens across central Israel. Millions of civilians rushed to shelters as Iranian missiles rained down.
Simultaneously, Hezbollah opened a second front from Lebanon, launching additional rockets into Israeli territory.
Approximately ten ballistic missiles were directed at central Israel. Most were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, though several struck open areas in accordance with operational protocols. According to rescue services, an Iranian ballistic missile carrying a fragmentation warhead damaged homes and vehicles in the central cities of Rosh HaAyin and Petah Tikva. No injuries were reported from that strike.
Missiles also struck Ramat Gan — a major city in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area — with eyewitnesses in Tel Aviv reporting at least six separate alerts within a single hour, underscoring the intensity of the assault. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had issued advance warnings of an imminent missile strike.
A 11-year-old girl is hospitalized in critical condition after being injured by shrapnel during the missile attack on Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv. Among other casualties are a 13-year-old boy and a 36-year-old woman, both suffering more serious shrapnel wounds; the remaining injured sustained minor injuries.
Missile debris caused widespread damage to buildings and vehicles across Tel Aviv, according to Anadolu Agency footage shared on social media.
In response, Israel carried out airstrikes targeting dozens of sites it described as ‘terrorist targets’ in central Tehran — further escalating the confrontation. Reports indicate the Pasargad Bank building in the Ajodaniyeh district was among the locations struck.