Missile Barrage Hits Central Israel
Around 08:45, air raid sirens sounded across central and northern Israel, from the Judaean Foothills to the Sharon and Samaria regions. Approximately 20 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran, resulting in at least two impact sites in the Gush Dan area.
One missile hit a bus depot in Herzliya, igniting a parked, empty bus. Five individuals were lightly wounded by debris and smoke inhalation. By 09:05, the Home Front Command declared the barrage over and allowed citizens to exit protected spaces.
Iranian Drone Intercepted Over Northern Israel
Earlier in the day, the IDF successfully intercepted an Iranian UAV over the Golan Heights. The drone crossed into Israeli airspace and was downed by Israeli fighter jets. No injuries or damage were reported in the incident.
IDF Eliminates Iran’s “Chief of War” in Tehran
In a dramatic overnight operation, Israeli Air Force jets struck a command center in central Tehran, killing General Ali Shadmani, Iran’s newly appointed Chief of War. According to the IDF Spokesperson, the strike was made possible by precise intelligence and constituted a rare operational opportunity.
“For the second time in 5 days— the IDF has eliminated Iran’s War-Time Chief of Staff, the regime’s top military commander. Ali Shadmani, Iran’s senior-most military official and Khamenei’s closest military advisor, was killed in an IAF strike in central Tehran, following precise intelligence”, the IDF stated.
Shadmani, considered Iran’s most senior military commander and a close confidant of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, had been appointed after the initial assassination of General Alam Ali Rashid during the opening strike of the current operation. He headed the “Khatam al-Anbiya” emergency headquarters, responsible for authorizing Iranian missile strikes and managing offensive planning against Israel.
This marks the second successful elimination of a senior Iranian commander in the ongoing campaign and deals a significant blow to Iran’s military chain of command.
Trump: “This Is Bigger Than a Ceasefire”
As speculation mounted regarding U.S. involvement in mediating a ceasefire, President Donald Trump issued a blunt denial on his social media account, rejecting French President Emmanuel Macron’s claim that he left the G7 summit to broker a truce between Israel and Iran.
“Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a ‘cease fire’ between Israel and Iran. Wrong!…He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong” Trump wrote.
In a series of posts overnight, Trump urged Iranians to evacuate Tehran and other key sites immediately, suggesting further action may be imminent.
Trump also slammed American conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, saying, “Somebody explain that Iran can not have a nuclear weapon.”
Israeli Foreign Minister: Iran Is a Threat to Western Civilization
In a global media blitz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar gave interviews to major international outlets including France’s BFMTV, CNN, and Italy’s Rai1. “Iran poses a threat not only to Israel but to regional stability, the world order, and Western civilization itself,” he stated. “History obligates us to take decisive action against a regime that openly calls for Israel’s destruction.”
Fallen Soldier in Gaza
The IDF also reported the death of Sergeant First Class Naveh Leshem, 20, a soldier in Golani’s 12th Battalion, who was killed in Khan Yunis, Gaza, when an explosive device struck the armored vehicle he was traveling in. Ten other soldiers were injured, four of them seriously.
