Iranian missile attack causes power outages in southern Israel

Around 8,000 people in Israel are without electricity after Iran’s missile strikes on Monday morning, according to the Israeli energy minister.

Eli Cohen says authorities had “prepared in advance for the possibility of damage to electrical installations” and aim to have power back within three hours, BBC reports.

The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) earlier reported “damage near a strategic infrastructure facility” in the south, which has led to power cuts in several communities.

“IEC teams are en route to multiple locations on the ground with the aim of restoring power as soon as possible. The operations include infrastructure repairs and the neutralisation of safety hazards, and are being carried out in co-ordination with security forces,” it says.

During the attack, sirens sounded for some 35 minutes, Al Jazeera reports. 

“This is the longest period Israelis have spent in shelters since the start of the war” on Iran, the Channel 13 broadcaster reported.