Between the beach and the shelters, Israel awaits Iran's response

Tel AvivIn Tel Aviv and several other parts of the country, sirens sounded at eight in the morning, marking the start of a day many had anticipated for weeks. Within seconds, the city had moved to the shelters. In the south of the city, in the Jaffa neighborhood, usually bustling with tourists, this morning only a couple of people walking their dogs and someone paddleboarding on the deceptively calm sea could be seen.

Schools have closed, restaurants have shuttered, and many shops haven't even opened. Some cafes have held out with their doors half-open, serving quick coffees to customers who eyed the sky with apprehension. Throughout the day, alerts have been repeated on phones with clear instructions: seek immediate shelter from missile launches and avoid unnecessary travel.

The day unfolded rapidly after the United States and Israel confirmed a joint offensive against Iran. Early this morning, explosions rocked several areas of Tehran. Minutes later, Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles toward Israeli territory. The government has declared a nationwide state of emergency.

According to preliminary military data, approximately 200 missiles have been launched from Iran toward Israel since the start of the offensive. Most were intercepted by the Israeli defense system, while others landed in open areas. Missile fragments and interceptor debris have also fallen in various parts of the country, and medical services have treated at least one man in his fifties for minor injuries in northern Israel. At this time, there is no confirmation of fatalities or serious structural damage.

"It's strange... It's such a beautiful day, but with all the alerts, I've only grabbed a little bread," a man remarks on the street, walking briskly toward the nearest shelter. If it weren't for the state of emergency declared in the country and the constant sirens, it would be a radiant Saturday. "The war isn't going to stop us; today is a spectacular day to go for a run, like we do every Saturday," a young man from a group of runners comments. Next to him, a family strolls with their daughter, filming the calm sea with their phone. A few sailboats continue sailing peacefully. "We're taking a walk to celebrate my father's birthday," the young woman explains. "I don't think this will last more than two weeks. Or at least I hope so."

The Israeli military has said the operation against Iran is "more complex and complicated" than previous ones and will last "as long as necessary." In a televised address last night, Benjamin Netanyahu insisted: "This morning we thwarted the plans of senior officials of the ayatollahs' regime, commanders of the Revolutionary Guard, and senior officials of the nuclear program, and we will continue: in the coming days we will strike thousands of targets of the terrorist regime."

Empty highways

The journey between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, usually an hour long and packed with cars, was almost ghostly today. The main highways were practically empty, and the trip took half an hour. The tunnels, normally simple passages between neighborhoods, became makeshift shelters: cars stopped with their hazard lights on and people sitting on the ground. This is one of the recommendations from the Home Front Command, the Israeli army command responsible for civil defense within Israel: if you are in a car, stop and seek shelter immediately. And people are obeying. "We'll do what the government says," a couple commented. "We trust them completely."

In the port of Jaffa, two fishermen gather their nets as the sun sets and the sky turns orange.

—Have you ever seen the city like this? —one of them asks.

"No, I don't think so. I have the feeling that everything can change in an instant, but at least today we tried to enjoy the day, right?" the other replies.

As dusk approaches, the interceptions continue and become more visible. Seven missiles enter the Tel Aviv sky. The Dome activates and detonates them in mid-air. They become reddish balls suspended for a few seconds before dissipating.

"Can you tell us what we should do?" two Argentinian tourists ask a group of journalists. They arrived in Tel Aviv a day ago for a church mission. They had planned to go to Haifa the next day. Now they just want to know where the nearest shelter is. They look to the sky every time they hear a bang. Another rocket is clearly visible: an upward line, a luminous tail, and then the white flash. Boom, another intercepted.