Iran fired waves of ballistic missiles at Israel starting late on June 7, 2026, shattering a ceasefire that had barely survived two months. The attack, a direct response to Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Beirut, marks the first time Iranian missiles have struck at Israeli soil since a US-brokered pause in hostilities was established in April 2026.
Nearly 30 missiles were launched, primarily aimed at northern and central Israel. Israeli defense systems intercepted the vast majority of them, resulting in minimal damage and limited casualties.
What happened and why it matters
In early 2025, hostilities between Iran and Israel intensified to the point where direct military exchanges became routine rather than exceptional. The April 2026 ceasefire represented the first meaningful pause in that cycle of escalation, brokered with significant US involvement.
Israel’s strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut were the catalyst. Iran has long treated attacks on Hezbollah, its most important proxy force in the region, as attacks on its own strategic interests.
