(TJV NEWS) A direct Iranian missile strike late Friday night inflicted significant damage to Israel’s military headquarters compound in Tel Aviv, in what marks one of the most severe escalations in the growing confrontation between Tehran and Jerusalem.

The Kiryat compound, home to the Israel Defense Forces’ central command—Israel’s equivalent of the Pentagon—was among the targeted locations, as multiple news organizations confirmed widespread missile damage across the city. Fox News foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, reporting from the scene, described the moment an Iranian ballistic missile breached Israel’s sophisticated defense shield and struck “Israel’s version of the Pentagon.” He added plainly, “There is significant damage.”

NY Post pointed out that the attack occurred amid a massive retaliatory barrage by Iran, which included over 150 ballistic missiles fired at both residential areas and strategic military infrastructure. The New York Times, which verified alarming footage shared on social media, confirmed that the missile penetrated defenses and impacted a zone containing multiple defense installations, including the IDF’s command center.

Videos verified by The New York Times captured dramatic scenes: interceptor missiles streaking skyward before a blinding explosion and thunderous impact rocked the heart of Tel Aviv. The Associated Press reported that Israel’s air defenses successfully intercepted many of the incoming threats, but at least one missile clearly broke through.

The Times of Israel later reported that Iranian missiles also killed two top generals—General Gholamreza Mehrabi and General Mehdi Rabbani—during an earlier Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear and defense assets. The precision strikes also killed 20 senior commanders and six nuclear scientists, according to the Times of Israel, citing Iranian state media.

In Israel, casualties from Iran’s retaliatory attack included three civilians, as confirmed by Magen David Adom in a statement to CNN. Two individuals were killed in Rishon Lezion, while a third woman died in Ramat Gan, as verified by The New York Times. CNN later confirmed the woman had been struck by missile shrapnel.

NY Post pointed out that the IDF has yet to officially confirm the direct hit on its command facility. However, it did release raw footage of Iranian missile launches and issued a stern statement on X: “The IDF cannot, and will not, allow Iran to attack our civilians.”

The IDF’s Home Front Command has since raised the alert level nationwide, urging civilians to stay near shelters and warning against posting images or video of impact sites. “The enemy monitors this footage to improve its impact capabilities. Be responsible—do not share locations online!” the IDF stressed, according to The Jerusalem Post.

In Tel Aviv and surrounding areas, including Gush Dan, Ramat Gan, and Rishon LeZion, rescue crews were photographed amidst the rubble. Reuters, AFP, and Getty Images published images of destroyed homes, damaged cars, and first responders carrying injured civilians away from smoking debris.

NY Post pointed out that the missile strikes follow a failed diplomatic effort to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions. With negotiations deadlocked, Israel launched a major air offensive targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites. These airstrikes reportedly neutralized key figures and heightened tensions further.

In retaliation, the Islamic Republic launched what it called a “declaration of war,” firing missiles in three coordinated waves, the IDF said. In the aftermath, search and rescue operations remain ongoing, as authorities continue to evaluate the scale of devastation.