Iranian Cluster Missile Hits Empty Daycare in Rishon Lezion as IDF Strikes Tehran Regime Sites

An Iranian cluster missile struck a daycare in Rishon Lezion as the IDF targeted Tehran regime sites and killed Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 21, 2026, 5:05 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel.

Ballistic Volleys Target Civilian Infrastructure in Central Israel

An Iranian ballistic missile equipped with a cluster warhead struck multiple locations in the coastal city of Rishon Lezion early Saturday morning, according to reports from the Israel Police and Fire and Rescue Services. One of the primary impact sites was a local daycare center which was fortunately empty at the time of the strike due to early morning hours and emergency school closures. Forensic teams on the scene identified distinctive craters caused by individual bomblets, which are designed to saturate a wide area with lethal shrapnel. While the facility sustained heavy structural damage, Magen David Adom emergency responders confirmed that no injuries were reported in the immediate vicinity of the strike.

Israeli Air Force Deepens Operations Against the Iranian Capital

In a direct response to the persistent missile fire, the Israel Defense Forces initiated a series of precision aerial strikes targeting high-value regime assets within Tehran. Military officials stated that the operations focused specifically on the Iranian "fire array," including ballistic missile production facilities and logistical headquarters. This latest round of bombardment marks a continuing effort by the IDF to degrade the Islamic Republic's long-range strike capabilities following the outbreak of hostilites on February 28. Residents in Tehran reported hearing massive explosions across the city as Israeli aircraft engaged the headquarters of the Iranian terror regime for the third time in a six-hour window.

Lethal Engagement on the Northern Front Near the Blue Line

Tensions escalated further along the northern border as Israeli ground forces engaged in a direct firefight with Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon. Troops from the Givati Brigade identified a cell of armed gunmen during a targeted operation and successfully neutralized several operatives using a combination of small arms fire and coordinated drone strikes. Following the initial exchange, an Israeli tank engaged a secondary group of fighters who had opened fire on the ground units, resulting in three additional fatalities among the Hezbollah ranks. The IDF reported that no Israeli soldiers were injured during the encounter, which took place amid a broader push to establish a security buffer south of the Litani River.