Jerusalem Old City hit in seventh Iranian missile salvo as IDF reservist faces espionage charges

Jerusalem's Old City damaged by Iranian missiles as an IDF reservist is accused of spying for Tehran and an IRGC spokesman is killed in a targeted strike.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 20, 2026, 11:02 AM EDT

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

Sacred Sites Endangered by Ballistic Impacts

The seventh Iranian missile salvo of the day has resulted in direct damage to the historic Jewish Quarter within Jerusalem’s Old City. According to military reports, fragments from the barrage impacted a parking lot in the densely populated area, marking a significant escalation in the targeting of sensitive religious and cultural landmarks. While the Iron Dome and other multi-tiered defense systems intercepted several projectiles, the sheer volume of the eighth launch, currently heading toward southern Israel, continues to test the limits of the national defense umbrella. Emergency services have been deployed to the impact sites, though no immediate fatalities were reported from this specific strike in the capital.

Civilian Toll Mounts in Central Israel

Repeated Iranian missile strikes have targeted the central city of Rehovot, where two residential homes were hit during the latest waves of attacks. Magen David Adom paramedics confirmed that two individuals sustained light injuries from the blasts, which local authorities believe involved the use of cluster-type munitions. According to residents, the explosions caused significant structural damage and ignited fires on the upper floors of apartment blocks. The constant sounding of sirens across central Israel has forced thousands into shelters, with medical teams treating dozens more for acute anxiety and injuries sustained while rushing to protected spaces.

Internal Security Breach in Air Defense Units

The Israel Police and Shin Bet have announced a severe security breach involving a 26-year-old IDF reservist serving within the Iron Dome aerial defense array. Raz Cohen, a resident of Jerusalem, has been indicted on charges of aggravated espionage for allegedly providing sensitive military information to Iranian intelligence agents. According to the indictment, Cohen maintained contact with foreign handlers for several months, transferring details regarding the operational mechanics and locations of Iron Dome batteries in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. Authorities stated that the defendant was fully aware he was communicating with enemy operatives, a betrayal that has sparked a high-level review of security protocols within sensitive military units.