Israel was unable to protect its own homeland even though it controlled Iran’s airspace. Previously untouchable cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa were destroyed by Iran’s missile attack.
The Shock of Reversal: Safe Cities Became War Zones
Ironically, the previously safe and well-defended cities ended up being the most vulnerable. They struck Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Holon, Bat Yam, Nes Ziona, Be’er Sheva, and Haifa. Iran purposefully targeted large urban centres, leaving smaller, less fortified towns unaffected.
Missile Power: Iran’s New Edge
Israel’s Iron Dome and other defences were overpowered by Iran’s use of ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Anil Trigunayat, a former diplomat, likened the destruction in Israeli cities to the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, but with Israel on the receiving end.
Hamas and Hezbollah vs Iran: A Clear Difference
Previously, Israel had managed to intercept and limit damage from Hamas (from Gaza) and Hezbollah (from Lebanon):
| Group | Launch Region | Targeted Israeli Regions | Cities Commonly Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamas | Gaza Strip | Southern & Central Israel | Ashdod, Ashkelon, Sderot |
| Hezbollah | South Lebanon | Northern Israel | Kiryat Shmona, Metula, Nahariya, Safed |
In contrast, Iran’s long-range missiles struck deep into Israeli territory, focusing on symbolic and strategic cities rather than border towns.
Changing Enemy, Changing Battlefield
This war proved that changing the adversary changed the entire nature of destruction. Previously secure cities turned into battlegrounds. For the first time, Israel saw the kind of large-scale damage inside its core cities that it once inflicted elsewhere.
A Wake-Up Call for Israel’s Security Doctrine
The conflict forced Israeli defense experts to re-evaluate their systems. If Iran could cause this level of destruction from afar, then no city is truly safe. As Trigunayat noted, in a head-to-head war, Iran can now inflict real, large-scale damage inside Israel—at any time.
Read More: Israel-Iran War: 12 Days of Destruction That Shook the Middle East
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