Tel Aviv residents take shelter at underground parking lot amid escalating conflict

Escalating conflict between Iran and Israel has forced Tel Aviv residents to seek safety in makeshift underground shelters following a wave of missile attacks.

Iran launched a barrage of missile attacks against Israel, just hours after the United States struck its nuclear sites on Sunday. According to Israel's Ministry of Health, at least 86 people have been wounded in the attacks.

In Tel Aviv, one of Israel's largest cities, a shopping mall's underground parking lot has been converted to a makeshift shelter. With tents, sleeping mats, and minimal supplies, it now serves as a fragile sanctuary for people seeking refuge from incoming rockets.

"Everything happened around Monday night, five days ago, because on Monday night there was a big missile that hit very close by in Pinsker Street. And many people who live here became much more afraid of what is going on in Tel Aviv and the central Tel Aviv and all that thing. And we got pictures of a lot of these parking lots that became shelters, that pretty much people, and also the underground light train, people sitting on the floor and not really having any minimal level of comfort, privacy, anything. People can come on a need basis, say 'can I stay here all night long?' can get a small tent with some mattresses and sleep for the whole night. Now what happened that on Tuesday? We finished building it about I'd say about 5:00. And few minutes later there was a missile and there was an alarm, and about 1,000 people came from the mall and from the neighborhood, came to the shelter," said an asylum seeker named Efraim.

For people who do not have a bomb shelter in their home, the parking garage has become a crucial place of respite.

"This is not bomb shelter. This is underground parking, but it's dangerous outside, because of Iran's attack. And so I don't have a shelter in my home at my flat, so I decided to be here on this dangerous and strange situation. I got this one and mattress. and here I feel more comfortable because this is the safe place. Although this is underground parking and here we have a lot of people who helps each other," said Marina, a local resident.

Tel Aviv residents take shelter at underground parking lot amid escalating conflict

Tel Aviv residents take shelter at underground parking lot amid escalating conflict

Tel Aviv residents take shelter at underground parking lot amid escalating conflict

Tel Aviv residents take shelter at underground parking lot amid escalating conflict

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests