UK Warns Citizens to Leave Israel as Iranian Strikes Kill 10, Damage Spreads in Bat Yam
Israel remains on high alert after Iran launched a wave of missile strikes across central and northern regions, killing at least 10 people and leaving a trail of destruction. The British government responded by issuing a blanket advisory against all travel to Israel, citing the high risk of further escalation.
The attacks, part of what Iran claims is retaliation for Israeli strikes on nuclear infrastructure, have pushed both countries deeper into open conflict. The Israeli military reported that more than 80 Iranian targets were hit overnight in Tehran, including fuel depots, defense ministry buildings, and locations allegedly linked to nuclear research.
“We’ve hit 170 strategic targets and over 700 pieces of military infrastructure since the operation began,” the Israeli Defense Forces stated Friday, referring to its ongoing offensive, Operation Rising Lion.
In Bat Yam, just south of Tel Aviv, rescue teams searched through collapsed buildings throughout the day. Residents, many in shock, attempted to salvage belongings from homes damaged or destroyed in the strikes.
A 10-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl were among the casualties in the area. Standing amid the wreckage, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promised more action, declaring, “We will bring those who strike us to their knees.”
Across town, citizens shared their grief and frustration. “I’m traumatized,” said Katya, a long-time resident whose mother was hospitalized with injuries. “We’ve been here 24 years, and now we have to start over.”
Further down the street, Ilan, a landlord checking on his tenants, expressed unwavering support for Israel’s offensive. “If you send 300 missiles and kill 10 people, how many will a thousand kill?” he said. “For me, it’s worth it.”
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes struck a range of military and dual-use sites in Tehran, according to Israeli sources. Iran’s air defense systems activated late into the night in areas including Shahrak-e Gharb and Saadat Abad, where residents reported loud explosions.
In Iran, authorities confirmed damage to infrastructure but have not released casualty figures. State-run oil exports resumed from Tehran’s Shahran depot, which officials said remained operational despite being hit.
While the Israeli government maintains its goal is to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, comments from some officials have hinted at broader objectives, including weakening Tehran’s political leadership. Iran insists its military action is a defensive response.
The situation has all but shattered hopes for any progress on diplomatic nuclear negotiations. A third night of strikes has underscored how fast the conflict is spiraling beyond containment.
The UK’s Foreign Office said, “The situation has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning.” The agency also confirmed Israeli airspace remains closed following the declaration of a national emergency.
British citizens in Israel have been told to follow local authority instructions and prepare for sudden restrictions or evacuations. In addition to Israel, the UK government has advised against all travel to Gaza and areas near the Syrian border, and all but essential travel to the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem.
As the strikes continue, scenes in Bat Yam show the human cost. Hugo Bachega, reporting from the site of a collapsed apartment block, said, “There is a lot of destruction all around.” Six residents died in that one building alone, while seven remain trapped beneath the rubble.
Video footage from the area shows emergency crews working non-stop in high-visibility gear, pulling debris away by hand and calling out for survivors.
Despite the chaos, far-right Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the site in a show of political defiance. Surrounded by heavy security, he met with shop owners whose businesses were damaged by the blasts. One bakery owner, guarding his storefront, told reporters, “Of course I support the war. What kind of question is that?”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also visited Bat Yam earlier, greeted by supporters chanting “Bibi, King of Israel” in a reworded version of a traditional Jewish children’s song.
As strikes echo into a fourth day, civilians on both sides remain in danger. With no ceasefire in sight, governments around the world are warning their citizens to stay out of the region. The air is tense, and the next moves in this confrontation remain unclear but the damage already done is tragically evident.
