Israelis Brace for Retaliation After Joint U.S.–Israel Strikes on Iran

Missile Sirens Over Tel Aviv

Shortly after sunrise, residents in central Tel Aviv received mobile alerts warning of incoming projectiles. Children were seen running toward shelters, parents carrying pets and emergency kits, and commuters abandoning streets for underground cover. Light rail stations quickly transformed into temporary refuges as people checked their phones for real-time updates on missile trajectories and interception reports.

Witnesses described the tense moments between sirens and impact or interception as the most psychologically intense. “You hear the alert, and then you wait,” said one resident sheltering with neighbors in a reinforced basement. “Those seconds feel endless.”

Air defense batteries reportedly engaged multiple targets. Interceptions were visible in the sky, with flashes and distant booms signaling mid-air neutralizations. Emergency services later confirmed that debris from intercepted missiles caused localized damage in some areas, though comprehensive assessments were ongoing.

February 28, 2026 | 10:08 pm