Israelis shelter in parking garage, sanctuary as Iranian missiles strike Tel Aviv

2026-03-12 - 09:33

As air raid sirens wailed across Tel Aviv on March 10 following Iran's retaliatory missile attack, Israelis rushed to take shelter wherever they could find protection—including a parking garage and a sanctuary. The images capture the harrowing daily reality for civilians caught in the escalating conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces, now in its 13th day. Daily disruption The sirens that sent residents scrambling for cover have become a near-constant feature of life in Israeli cities since Iran began its retaliatory campaign on Feb. 28. With early warning systems reportedly struggling to keep pace with missile barrages, civilians have little time to reach designated shelters, forcing many to improvise in parking structures, stairwells and any available protected space. Civilian toll The March 10 attacks were part of Iran's ongoing retaliation for the US-Israeli joint offensive that has killed more than 1,300 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to Israeli officials, over 2,500 people have been hospitalized since the conflict began, with thousands of buildings damaged across Tel Aviv and other cities. Social life in affected areas has ground to a halt as residents prioritize survival. War of attrition The images of civilians huddled in makeshift shelters underscore the human cost of a conflict that has seen US and Israeli forces strike over 9,000 targets in Iran while Tehran has launched approximately 3,200 missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states. With no end in sight, ordinary people on both sides continue to bear the burden of the escalating war.