TEL AVIV, Israel — A strike attributed to Iranian forces hit central areas of Tel Aviv, destroying at least three buildings and causing widespread damage in residential and commercial districts, officials and local media reported. The attack occurred amid escalating military tension between Iran and Israel as hostilities intensify across the region.

According to emergency responders, several structures were reduced to rubble or suffered severe structural damage, prompting urgent search and rescue operations to account for civilians in the affected zones. Thick smoke and dust rose from collapse sites, and firefighters worked through the debris as authorities coordinated medical aid and evacuation efforts.

While details about casualties remain limited, initial reports from health services suggest there were injuries, with rescue crews transporting individuals to nearby hospitals for treatment. Civil defense officials also confirmed that alerts had sounded across the city prior to the strike, allowing some residents to seek shelter.

Israeli military officials described the incident as part of a broader barrage of Iranian drone and missile strikes that have targeted urban centers and strategic infrastructure in recent days. The attacks have included rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles reaching deep into Israeli territory, challenging air defenses and heightening fears of further escalation.

In response, Israel’s defense forces have conducted counter strikes on positions in Iranian aligned territories and reinforced air defense deployments to protect population centers. Political leaders condemned the drone assault as an attack on civilians, vowing to hold responsible actors accountable.

International calls for de escalation have grown louder as global leaders urge restraint and negotiation to prevent further civilian harm. However, with tensions remaining high and both sides exchanging strikes, the situation in Tel Aviv and across the region continues to be volatile.