Explosion hits Jerusalem’s Old City after Iran missile alert

Al Jazeera
March 20, 2026
3 min read

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An explosion hit Jerusalem's Old City after an Iranian missile alert, marking direct military escalation.

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An explosion struck Jerusalem's Old City seconds after sirens alerted residents to an incoming Iranian missile. The blast occurred in one of the world's holiest and most densely populated areas, home to Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Islamic sites that draw millions of visitors annually. The incident marks a direct military escalation in the ongoing regional conflict between Iran and Israel, raising immediate concerns about civilian casualties and potential retaliation. Iran has previously launched ballistic missiles toward Israel, though most were intercepted by Israeli air defenses. The strike underscores the fragility of the region and the risk that hostilities could rapidly expand beyond current conflict zones.

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