Iran has launched a missile attack on southern Israel, specifically targeting the city of Beersheba, as the conflict between regional adversaries enters its eighth day. The Israeli military reported that several missiles were intercepted, but some managed to hit their targets, causing damage to buildings and injuring at least six people. According to paramedics, 30 people were treated for panic.
The attack comes after Israel’s surprise attack on Iran, which killed over 240 people, including 70 women and children. In retaliation, Iran fired around 400 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel, killing at least 24 people and forcing Israelis to take cover in bomb shelters. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet with European officials in Geneva to discuss Iran’s nuclear program and ending Israel’s attacks.
US President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether the US will join Israel in attacking Iran, citing the “chance of negotiation”. Meanwhile, the UK and US have held crisis talks, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic solution to avoid further escalation. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stressed the importance of finding a diplomatic solution within the next two weeks.
Experts suggest that US rivals, China and Russia, would welcome Trump’s intervention in Iran, potentially leading to a prolonged conflict. Alam Saleh, an expert from Australia National University, notes that China and Russia would benefit indirectly from a US intervention, as they would try to prolong the war by supporting Iran. However, they are unlikely to intervene directly.
The conflict has also raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the UN agency for Palestinian refugees reported that most Palestinians have been forced out of their homes since October 2023. The agency drew parallels between the current situation and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in 1948.
The Israeli military has faced challenges in intercepting Iranian missiles, with some estimates suggesting an 80-90% success rate. Experts attribute Iran’s ability to pierce through Israel’s air defense systems to various factors, including:
- Exhausting Interceptor Missiles: Iran may have overwhelmed Israel’s air defense systems by launching a large number of missiles, exceeding the limited number of interceptor missiles available.
- Hypersonic Missiles: Iran’s hypersonic missiles can fly faster and maneuver unpredictably, making them difficult to intercept.
- Cruise Missiles: Cruise missiles can change their trajectory and fly low and steady, sneaking past air defenses.
As the conflict continues, the situation remains volatile, with diplomatic efforts underway to prevent further escalation.