Israel has entered into its fourth day in its ongoing conflict with Iran after the Jewish state targeted Iran's nuclear and military infrastructures last week.

At least 24 people have been killed since hostilities began, while 224 people have been killed in Iran, according to CNN. In a post on X, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) announced that they eliminated 4 senior Iranian intelligence officials— Mohammad Kazemi, Head of IRGC Intelligence; Mohammad Hassan Mohaqiq, his deputy; Mohsen Bakri, Head of Quds Force Intelligence; Abu al-Fadl Nikouei, his deputy— as part of Operation Rising Lion.

"These officials played a central role in Iran's strategic planning and terrorist operations against Israel, the West, and regional countries. This strike follows the elimination of Iran's Armed Forces' Intelligence Chief last Friday—delivering a major blow to Iran's terror network," the IDF explained.

The IDF also confirmed on Monday that eight Israelis were killed in Iranian missile strikes overnight, The Christian Post reported. Iran's ballistic missiles, which have a high level of kinetic energy, have massive warheads weighing between 880 and 2,200 pounds.

"As much as possible — we ask citizens to stay in a protected and functional safe room when an alarm sounds. This saves lives," Home Front Command officer, Brig.-Gen. Liron Donnell told Ynet News. "From what we learned from the sites of the attacks, people who were in shelters were not harmed."

"Civilian behavior saves lives and dramatically reduces casualties on the home front. Even when looking at the recent destruction sites — we see clearly: those who were in shelters were saved," she added.

The IDF also pointed out that their combined air defense systems have been between 80% to 90% effective in shooting down incoming Iranian ballistic missiles throughout the past few days.

At the same time, however, the IDF's air superiority has not completely stopped Iran's launch of ballistic missiles on Israeli civilians in and near Tel Aviv, CBN News reported.

"We took a strong hit today. We lost seven of our residents, and 200 are injured, and we still have three people missing. But our spirit is strong, and we will win. We know that our enemy tried to target civilians, so this is why tomorrow, we are starting to rebuild," Tzvika Bot, the mayor of Bat Yam, stated on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also spoke from Bat Yam, warned of the potential consequences of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

"We are here because we are in an operation for the sake of our existence that is understood by all citizens of Israel," he said.

"Imagine what would happen if Iran had nuclear weapons that would fall on Israeli cities," he warned. "Imagine what would happen if Iran had 20,000 missiles – not one, but 20,000 of them. That is an existential threat."

On Monday, the US State Department raised its travel advisory to Israel to the highest levels: "in response to security incidents and without advance notice, the US Embassy may further restrict or prohibit US government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank."

The embassy also warned Americans not to travel to Israel "due to armed conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest." A travel advisory was also issued for the West Bank and Gaza.

Source