Tel Aviv streets ghostly; settlers flee under Iranian missile fire

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
23 Jun 2025 10:28
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Israeli media are reporting on the aftermath of Iran’s strikes on “Israel” with cities turning ghostly amid the mass exodus of settlers.

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Israeli settlers evacuate a building damaged in an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Lamenting the situation underway in Israeli cities following the impact of retaliatory strikes by Iran, Israeli Channel 12 was particularly alarmed by the situation in Tel Aviv, “the city that never rests.” It indicated that the city was forced to a standstill by Iran’s missiles.

“Known for its constant bustle and noise, it suddenly appeared deserted,” the channel revealed, explaining how everyone is packing their bags to leave.

Videos show utter destruction caused to a building in central "Israel" following the impact of #Iranian missiles.#Iran pic.twitter.com/08zIo5V7Ce
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 22, 2025

The Israeli channel pointed to the fortified rooms, which have become scarce, and the empty shops, adding that even when the municipality decided to open parking lots for free, no one benefited, because the “city is simply fleeing from itself."

Even the eldest settlers in Tel Aviv can't recall a similar situation, as most apartments in old buildings lack any shelter within the building itself or fortified rooms.

Tel Aviv this morning: Scenes of destruction after at least 27 missiles were launched from #Iran in two barrages. Israeli media reported 16 injuries so far, including two in critical condition. pic.twitter.com/5rdzbDSf7U
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 22, 2025

Majority of settlers left Tel Aviv

The Israeli channel quoted Rekhes, who lives in an apartment on HaYarkon Street with his wife and left the city in search of a fortified shelter, as saying, "The majority of the residents have left the city."

Channel 12 reported that "those who were undecided between staying or leaving were finally persuaded to leave after a direct hit on one of the city's upscale towers last Friday."

Another settler described a prevalent feeling among the settlers that the Iranians are primarily targeting Tel Aviv, thus the need to leave the city.

#WATCH | Footage shows damage in Holon, a Tel Aviv suburb, as a result of the Iranian missile retaliation.#Iran #IranNews #Palestine pic.twitter.com/X1HBJt2Zmd
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 19, 2025

Israeli media reported on Monday that the destruction in the Ramat Aviv neighborhood of Tel Aviv was reminiscent of devastated areas after an earthquake.

Israeli media reported that El Al Airlines has received 25,000 requests for flights abroad from Tel Aviv since yesterday, to escape Iranian missiles.

To date, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps has announced 20 waves of Operation True Promise 3, which has been ongoing since June 14 in response to the ongoing Israeli aggression against Iran. The operation has progressed through several phases, as Iran has developed its response.