Iran fired a major missile barrage at Tel Aviv, causing explosions and a residential building fire, as Israel expanded its campaign against Hezbollah.

TEL AVIV: A major Iranian missile barrage triggered a wave of explosions over Tel Aviv early Friday. Firefighters worked to contain a blaze at a residential building on the outskirts of Israel’s commercial hub caused by falling debris.

The attack came after Israel expanded its military campaign against the Tehran-backed Hezbollah militant group. Israel vowed retribution after Hezbollah joined the conflict following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday.

Iran’s state broadcaster said Tehran had fired missiles “against targets in the heart of Tel Aviv.” Israel’s military said it was working to intercept the incoming fire late Thursday.

AFP journalists in Tel Aviv heard two near-simultaneous waves of explosions reverberating across the city. Rocket trails also lit up the sky in Netanya, a city north of Tel Aviv on Israel’s Mediterranean coast.

Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said its teams visited several reported impact sites but found no casualties. Israeli police confirmed they were “currently handling scenes involving fallen projectiles in central Israel.”

The police statement noted there was “damage” but no injuries. A projectile hit a building on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, forcing residents to evacuate.

Israel’s Home Front Command also issued several rocket fire warnings early Friday for communities near the Lebanon border.

 The Sun Malaysia