The Media Line: ‘We Will Not Have a Second Holocaust,’ Netanyahu Says of Iran Confrontation 

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‘We Will Not Have a Second Holocaust,’ Netanyahu Says of Iran Confrontation 

Israel expands its long-range strikes deep into Iran as leaders declare their intent to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons 

By Steven Ganot/The Media Line 

Between late Sunday, June 15, and early Monday, June 16, Iran launched multiple ballistic missile barrages at central and northern Israel, including from Yemen via Houthi proxies, while Israel intensified its deep-strike campaign on Iranian territory. The Israeli attacks targeted command centers, military installations, and energy infrastructure across the country, stretching nearly 2,300 kilometers from north to south. The cross-border escalation has resulted in dozens of civilian casualties, widespread infrastructure damage, and growing fears of a broader regional war that could pull in global powers. 

The Iranian missile and drone strikes were in direct retaliation for Israel’s large-scale air campaign, which began a few days earlier and focused on Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Israeli officials say the strikes aim to neutralize what they describe as an existential threat, claiming that Iran is approaching the threshold of acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes, although it has enriched uranium to levels close to weapons-grade. 

On Sunday evening, Iran fired a heavy barrage of ballistic missiles toward northern and central Israel. The impacts resulted in at least eight civilian deaths and hundreds of injuries. Fires and structural damage were reported across Haifa and towns near Kiryat Gat, and later in Tel Aviv and Petah Tikva. The following morning, another wave of missiles injured five people and wounded dozens more in Tel Aviv and Petah Tikva. A building in Petah Tikva was hit directly, killing four elderly residents. An 80-year-old man died when his home in Bnei Brak collapsed from a nearby blast. Emergency teams reported that in some cases, even residents sheltering in safe rooms were not fully protected due to the strength of the explosions. 

Israeli emergency services, including Magen David Adom, treated over a hundred people for injuries or shock. The Israel Electric Corporation confirmed damage to central power infrastructure in Haifa, while firefighters worked to contain blazes at power facilities targeted by Iranian strikes. Meanwhile, a missile launched from Yemen by the Houthi movement triggered air raid sirens in Beersheba and the northern Negev. Israeli military forces intercepted the projectile. 

Iran’s strikes also caused significant disruption and destruction within Israel’s civilian and strategic sectors. In addition to human casualties, Iranian missiles struck Israel’s largest oil refinery in Haifa Bay and damaged multiple electricity infrastructure sites. The Guardian reported that fires broke out following impacts from hypersonic missiles. Iranian media praised what it called successful targeting of Israeli economic facilities, though Israeli officials reported that most incoming threats were intercepted. 

According to Israeli officials, more than 100 drones launched by Iran and its proxies have been intercepted since Friday. A new seaborne air defense system was used for the first time by the Israeli Navy to shoot down eight Iranian drones. Israel stated that no drone had reached its territory as of Monday morning. IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said, “Challenging days are ahead. There will be more launches and impacts in the coming days.” 

The Home Front Command maintained its guidance for Israeli civilians to remain near shelters. Schools and nonessential workplaces remain closed. Public gatherings are banned, and authorities continue to urge residents not to post footage or images of missile impacts to prevent Iran from improving targeting based on online data.