Israeli security and rescue forces work at the scene of a missile attack from Iran, in Haifa, northern Israel, on June 20, 2025. A fresh barrage of missiles launched from Iran struck northern Israel on Friday, wounding 21 people and causing significant damage in the coastal city of Haifa, according to Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA). (Miki Schauder/JINI via Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, June 20 (Xinhua) -- A fresh barrage of missiles launched from Iran struck northern Israel on Friday, wounding 21 people and causing significant damage in the coastal city of Haifa, according to Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA).
Among the wounded in Haifa, the MDA said two were seriously injured -- a 16-year-old boy and a man in his forties. Two others sustained moderate injuries, while the remaining 17 were lightly wounded.
The Israel Defense Forces estimated that the barrage included 25 missiles, triggering air raid sirens across the country and sending millions of residents scrambling for shelter.
Israeli media outlets reported that there were also hits in the Tel Aviv area in central Israel and the city of Beer Sheva in the south. No casualties were reported in those areas. However, an earlier strike on Friday in Beer Sheva slightly injured seven people.
The attack marks an escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel, following a series of tit-for-tat strikes in the past week. On June 13, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, killing several senior military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. In retaliation, Iran carried out missile and drone attacks on various locations in Israel, causing casualties and substantial damage. The conflict continued into Friday. ■
A member of Israeli security and rescue forces works at the scene of a missile attack from Iran, in Haifa, northern Israel, on June 20, 2025. A fresh barrage of missiles launched from Iran struck northern Israel on Friday, wounding 21 people and causing significant damage in the coastal city of Haifa, according to Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA). (Miki Schauder/JINI via Xinhua)
Israeli security and rescue forces work at the scene of a missile attack from Iran, in Haifa, northern Israel, on June 20, 2025. A fresh barrage of missiles launched from Iran struck northern Israel on Friday, wounding 21 people and causing significant damage in the coastal city of Haifa, according to Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA). (Miki Schauder/JINI via Xinhua)
Israeli security and rescue forces work at the scene of a missile attack from Iran, in Haifa, northern Israel, on June 20, 2025. A fresh barrage of missiles launched from Iran struck northern Israel on Friday, wounding 21 people and causing significant damage in the coastal city of Haifa, according to Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA). (Miki Schauder/JINI via Xinhua)
Photo taken on June 20, 2025 shows a damaged building in Haifa, northern Israel. A fresh barrage of missiles launched from Iran struck northern Israel on Friday, wounding 21 people and causing significant damage in the coastal city of Haifa, according to Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA). (Miki Schauder/JINI via Xinhua)
Israeli security and rescue forces work at the scene of a missile attack from Iran, in Haifa, northern Israel, on June 20, 2025. A fresh barrage of missiles launched from Iran struck northern Israel on Friday, wounding 21 people and causing significant damage in the coastal city of Haifa, according to Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA). (Miki Schauder/JINI via Xinhua)
Photo taken on June 20, 2025 shows a damaged building in Haifa, northern Israel. A fresh barrage of missiles launched from Iran struck northern Israel on Friday, wounding 21 people and causing significant damage in the coastal city of Haifa, according to Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA). (Miki Schauder/JINI via Xinhua)
Israeli security and rescue forces work at the scene of a missile attack from Iran, in Haifa, northern Israel, on June 20, 2025. A fresh barrage of missiles launched from Iran struck northern Israel on Friday, wounding 21 people and causing significant damage in the coastal city of Haifa, according to Israel's national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA). (Miki Schauder/JINI via Xinhua)
