Iran’s Last-Ditch Missile Barrage Hammers Tel Aviv and Haifa as War Enters Day 8 – Iron Dome Overwhelmed in Heaviest Attack Yet
By: Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.comMarch 6, 2026 – 07:45 AM EST Update
In the most intense single missile and drone assault of the US-Israel-Iran war so far, Iran unleashed what Israeli military officials described as its largest remaining salvo—estimated at 180–220 ballistic missiles and more than 100 Shahed-type drones—targeting central and northern Israel overnight into early March 6. The barrage, launched from multiple sites across western and central Iran despite heavy prior degradation of launchers, overwhelmed parts of the multi-layered Israeli air-defense network, resulting in significant damage in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and surrounding areas. The attack came hours after IRGC commander Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi publicly vowed that any attempt at ground invasion would turn Iranian soil into “a graveyard for invaders.”
The Barrage: Scale and Execution
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Home Front Command reported the following sequence:
- Launch window: approximately 01:30–03:45 Israel time (March 6).
- Weapons mix: primarily Fateh-110 / Zolfaghar short-range ballistic missiles (300–700 km range), several Emad / Ghadr medium-range ballistic missiles (1,200–1,800 km), and a large number of Shahed-136/238 kamikaze drones.
- Trajectory: missiles followed a high-arcing ballistic path over Iraq and Jordan; drones flew low-level, circuitous routes over Syria and Lebanon.
- Interception rate: IDF estimates 65–75% successful intercepts by Arrow-2/3 (upper tier), David’s Sling (mid-tier), and Iron Dome (short-range). Several dozen projectiles penetrated, with impacts confirmed in urban and industrial zones.
Damage and Casualties in Israel
- Tel Aviv metropolitan area — Direct hits reported on residential buildings in Ramat Gan, Bat Yam, and Holon; several high-rises sustained structural damage and fires. Ben Gurion International Airport was temporarily closed after shrapnel fell on runways and taxiways.
- Haifa and northern Israel — Strikes near the Bazan petrochemical complex and Haifa port caused secondary explosions and fires; power outages affected large parts of the city. Kiryat Shmona and Safed reported multiple impacts on civilian infrastructure.
- Casualties — Israeli Magen David Adom and police reported at least 14 killed and over 120 injured (figures rising as of 07:30 Israel time). Dozens remain missing under rubble; hospitals in Tel Aviv and Haifa are treating blast injuries, shrapnel wounds, and trauma cases.
- Infrastructure — Widespread power outages, damaged water mains, and disrupted cellular networks in affected areas. Israel Railways suspended service on northern lines.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation at 05:15 local time:
“Iran has chosen escalation. We will respond with even greater force. Our defenses held firm, but we will not rest until the threat is eliminated once and for all.”
IRGC Claims “Successful Retaliation”
IRGC Aerospace Force spokesperson Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh claimed the attack was a direct response to “Zionist-American aggression” and the ongoing bombing of Tehran and other cities. State television broadcast footage of launchers firing in darkness and celebratory scenes in Tehran squares, framing the salvo as proof of resilience despite heavy losses.
Analysts note that Iran appears to have expended a significant portion of its remaining precision-guided missile inventory in this single wave—possibly 25–35% of what survived earlier US-Israeli strikes. The use of older, less accurate models alongside newer ones suggests an attempt to saturate Israeli defenses.
Israeli Response and Escalation Risks
The IDF immediately launched retaliatory airstrikes on suspected launch sites in western Iran and proxy positions in Syria and Iraq. F-35I Adir stealth fighters conducted deep-penetration missions, targeting underground missile storage facilities and command nodes.
With Hezbollah already heavily engaged in southern Lebanon and Iraqi militias attacking US bases and Saudi targets, the latest Iranian barrage raises the risk of a multi-front war:
- Hezbollah intensified rocket fire into northern Israel in apparent coordination.
- Houthi forces in Yemen claimed a simultaneous drone attack on Eilat.
- Iraqi PMF groups launched additional drones toward US facilities in eastern Syria.
US Central Command confirmed it assisted Israeli defenses with real-time radar data and provided air cover for some interceptors.
Broader Implications
The scale of the Iranian salvo—despite degraded capabilities—demonstrates that Tehran retains significant retaliatory power even after losing most of its surface navy, senior leadership, and large parts of its missile production base. It also underscores the limitations of even Israel’s world-class air defenses when facing saturation attacks.
As sirens wail across central and northern Israel, rescue teams work through the night, and families shelter in safe rooms, the war has entered a phase of mutual exhaustion and escalating destruction. Whether this exchange forces a pause or triggers even deadlier rounds remains uncertain.
Juba Global News Network continues to monitor developments from the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, Reuters, Al Jazeera, BBC, Haaretz, and Iran International. The situation remains extremely fluid and dangerous—consult official sources for real-time alerts and safety instructions. Stay informed and safe.
