'Iranians Got What They Want': Tel Aviv Residents Say Israel 'Basically Lost' After Escalation

Last Updated:June 09, 2026, 20:35 IST

In Tel Aviv, residents said they felt exhausted and disillusioned after hours of missile alerts, shelter runs and disruption.

A brief but intense exchange of missiles between Israel and Iran on Monday has left residents on both sides uncertain and frustrated, with no clear end to the conflict in sight.

The flare-up marked one of the most serious escalations since a fragile ceasefire in April, with strikes following Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon and retaliatory fire from Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later suggested the immediate round of exchanges was over, while warning that Israel would respond strongly if Iran launched further attacks. Tehran, meanwhile, said it would resume strikes if Israel continued its operations in Lebanon.

Tel Aviv Residents Voice Frustration

In Tel Aviv, residents told DW News they felt exhausted and disillusioned after hours of missile alerts, shelter runs and disruption. Many described the exchange as ineffective and costly for daily life.

“These 12 hours of missiles are a waste of time for us. We didn’t get anything out of that. The Iranians got what they want," said Gal Nakash, an entrepreneur. “So basically Israel is now locked in terms of Lebanon and locked in terms of Iran. So, we basically lost."

Others also pointed to the repeated cycles of escalation. “The people of Israel are losing for sure… No one slept, kids are not in school, who is at work, all the restaurants that usually are busy are empty," Hannah Bartell, a tour guide, said.

“For sure, we didn’t win, but we have not won for two years, almost three," added resident Ella Salomon, noting, “Every 6 months, having a little bit of missiles from Iran."

Alon Shani, another resident, said he felt “a little bit disappointed" with Israel’s response to Iranian missiles.

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