Clear intensification of the conflict: 24 dead and nearly 600 wounded after waves of Iranian missiles
The conflict between Iran and Israel has escalated sharply over the past 72 hours, with a confirmed toll of 24 dead and 592 wounded, according to Israel’s Ministry of Health on Monday. This marks the highest casualty point since the start of Iran’s so‑called “True Promise III” offensive, launched in retaliation for recent Israeli bombings on nuclear facilities within Iranian territory.
The Iranian attacks, comprising three large waves of ballistic missiles, struck at least 30 locations in Israel, including urban centers such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, Rehovot, and Petah Tikva. Authorities report at least 370 missiles launched between June 13 and the early hours of Monday the 16th.
The most critical episode occurred between the night of the 15th and early morning of the 16th, when 287 people were injured by direct or indirect impacts. Among them, one person remains in critical condition.
Despite the use of advanced defense systems such as Arrow 3, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome, several projectiles breached air defenses and hit residential areas, causing significant material damage and creating high tension among the civilian population.
Israel’s Defense Ministry warned that the Iranian offensive represents “an unprecedented escalation in the indirect war maintained by both countries for years,” and confirmed that the Israeli Air Force has ramped up operations against strategic Iranian targets, including IRGC bases in Kermanshah and missile depots in Isfahan.
Iranian sources and media aligned with the government in Tehran maintain that “True Promise III” was strictly a deterrent and retaliatory operation, targeting only military objectives. According to IRGC spokespersons, more than 400 missiles and drones were launched from Iranian territory between June 13 and 16, striking—by their count—air bases, arms depots, radar stations, and logistical positions of the Israeli military.
Some of those sources also claim that the most severe impacts occurred on sensitive defense infrastructure in central Israel, although independent verification has not yet been provided. IRGC spokespeople state that “the operation met its objective” to weaken Israel’s offensive capability and send a clear signal of response capacity.
Meanwhile, the differing numbers reported by each side regarding missiles fired, targets hit, and casualties underscore one of the most challenging features of any war: the truth becomes blurred, strategic, and often irreconcilable.
In conflicts of this nature, information itself becomes a battlefield: for each side, the narrative is a weapon, and the data, tools of propaganda or deterrence.
Confirming facts, verifying actual damage, and precisely assigning responsibility become complex, slow, and often deliberately hindered tasks.
Tension persists, while the world watches once again how war not only destroys cities but also certainties.
