The war just punched through Israel’s financial core. At 7 a.m. local time, a ballistic missile fired from Iran slammed into the Diamond Exchange District in Ramat Gan, just outside Tel Aviv. This wasn’t a near miss. It was a direct hit. The blast tore through the front of a residential building near the stock exchange, blowing out windows across multiple towers and sending emergency crews scrambling through smoke and debris. The street was blanketed in gray dust. The air reeked of scorched concrete.
The Diamond Exchange is not just a commercial hub. It’s a symbol. It anchors Israel’s financial sector, housing the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and dozens of high-rise offices. The missile strike gutted part of the district’s infrastructure and left at least 37 people injured, with two in moderate condition, according to first responders on the scene. Reinforced safe rooms inside the buildings prevented a higher death toll. Without them, the casualty count would have been catastrophic.
This was part of a broader barrage. Iran launched 30 ballistic missiles targeting central and southern Israel. Several broke through the Iron Dome and allied air defenses. One missile struck Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel’s largest hospital in the south. The surgical wing was hit. The building had been partially evacuated, but several staff and patients were injured. The hospital is now operating in emergency mode, treating only life-threatening cases.
The Israeli government confirmed that five to six buildings were damaged in Ramat Gan alone. The area is densely packed with residential towers, tech offices, and cafes. The timing of the strike during morning rush hour suggests intent to maximize disruption. This wasn’t a warning shot. It was a message.
Prime Minister Netanyahu responded with a vow of retaliation. Defense officials say Israel is preparing a new wave of strikes targeting Iranian missile infrastructure. The IDF confirmed that dozens of Iranian launch sites were hit overnight, but the damage to Israeli civilian centers has escalated the stakes.
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