Air warning sirens sounded this Saturday morning, 28, in Jerusalem and other cities in central Israel after the launch of missiles from Iran. The attack occurred just hours after Israel and the United States began a joint military offensive against Iranian targets.
The alarms rang in Jerusalem at 10:29 am local time, 5:29 am in Brasília. Residents reported missile interceptions in the sky and heard explosions for several minutes. The Israel Defense Forces activated air defense systems and advised the population to seek shelter.
In Tel Aviv, sirens caused a rush. Civilians rushed to subway stations, garages and underground shelters. Videos posted on social media show people sitting in these locations while waiting for the alert to end.
In the north of the country, an Iranian missile hit the 20th floor of a residential building in Haifa. The local fire department confirmed one minor injury. Magen David Adom reported that the victim is a man in his 50s. Paramedics also treated residents injured during the rush to shelters and people with anxiety attacks.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detected several volleys of missiles fired from Iran. In a statement, the institution stated that the defensive systems “are acting to intercept the threat”, but warned that the defense is not completely airtight.
The Home Front Command declared a state of emergency for 48 hours. Official guidance urges residents to remain close to shelters and follow safety protocols.
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The attack marked Iran’s first direct retaliation following the offensive launched by Israel in coordination with the United States. The IDF reported that the military campaign, called “Lion’s Roar”, targets dozens of Iranian military installations. Israel claims that the operation seeks to eliminate threats considered existential, after months of joint planning with Washington.
The quick reaction of the Israeli population reflects decades of adaptation to war. In 1951, three years after the country’s founding, Israel passed a civil defense law that mandated the construction of bomb shelters in public and private buildings. Legislation evolved throughout regional conflicts and followed the technological advancement of weapons.
In 1991, during the Gulf War, Iraq’s use of chemical weapons led to new protection standards. The requirement reinforced closed structures and ventilation systems. The concept of bunker, previously restricted to underground areas, now includes any fortified space.
Currently, the law requires at least one reinforced room per floor in houses and buildings. These environments have common dimensions, but walls of around 30 centimeters made of solid concrete. The reinforcement also covers the floor and ceiling, which reduces the ceiling height. Metal doors, special windows and restrictions on fragile objects complete the protection.
These spaces are part of everyday life. Many families use the fortified room as a dormitory. In moments of attack, it becomes the main line of defense for the civilian population.
With information from EFE
