Iran Attacks Israel During Passover: Missile Strikes Disrupt Jewish Holiday

Israelis celebrated the Passover Seder in bomb shelters and underground parking lots on Wednesday evening and Thursday as Iran launched a major ballistic missile barrage, marking one of the most significant escalations in tensions between the two countries. The attacks began as Israelis were preparing for their Seder meals, sending millions scrambling for safety.

According to reports from the Times of Israel, approximately 10 ballistic missiles were fired Wednesday evening, damaging buildings in central Israel. Footage released by Magen David Adom shows damage to a residential building following the barrage. One of the Iranian missiles carried a cluster warhead, scattering bomblets across central Israel, lightly injuring a 12-year-old and two 7-month-olds in Bnei Brak, as well as a 24-year-old. An 11-year-old girl was also injured by shrapnel in a separate missile strike and remains in critical condition.

The Jerusalem Post reported that the attack on Bnei Brak also damaged a water main. Sirens sounded repeatedly in central Israel, the Jerusalem area and the north, including near Haifa, as Hezbollah launched rockets from Lebanon in conjunction with the Iranian missile attacks.

The attacks represent Iran’s response to a recent strike against its consulate in Syria, according to reports. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Iran’s plan for Passover did not fully materialize. During the holiday, approximately 20 launches crossed from Iran into Israeli territory and 130 from Lebanon. The IDF continued its strikes in Iran, hitting dozens of ballistic missile sites, but stated it did not strike a bridge reportedly hit near Tehran.

The timing of the attack, coinciding with the Jewish Passover holiday, a time of family gathering and religious observance, is particularly notable. Families were forced to hold Seder meals in underground shelters, as seen in Ramat Gan, and a central Israel parking lot was used as a public shelter.

U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier assured that Iran’s military capabilities had been “decimated” in over a month of warfare, a statement that Iran appears to have countered with this display of force. Trump’s recent statements have added to the confusion surrounding the situation, according to reports.

The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected.