A fresh wave of Iranian missiles lit up the skies over Tel Aviv early Friday, triggering loud explosions across Israel’s commercial hub and forcing emergency teams into action as fires broke out in parts of the city.

The attack came amid intensifying hostilities in the region after Israel expanded its military campaign against Hezbollah, the Tehran-backed group that entered the conflict following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, last weekend.

Iran’s state broadcaster said the missiles were fired at “targets in the heart of Tel Aviv,” even as the Israeli military said its defence systems were working overnight to intercept the incoming projectiles.

Witnesses said two almost simultaneous blasts reverberated across Tel Aviv, while streaks from intercepted rockets briefly illuminated the sky. Similar trails were also seen over Netanya, a coastal city north of Tel Aviv.

Israel’s emergency service, Magen David Adom, said its teams responded to several reported impact points but confirmed there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Police authorities, however, said some projectiles fell in central Israel, damaging property and forcing residents of a building on the outskirts of Tel Aviv to evacuate.

At another residential area near the city’s economic district, firefighters battled a blaze sparked by debris from an intercepted rocket as authorities issued fresh rocket alerts to communities close to the Lebanese border. (The Sun)