Iranian missile strike on Israeli city of Beit Shemesh kills at least nine
A direct hit on a residential area near Jerusalem left 28 others injured, marking Israel's highest casualty toll since the conflict began.
5 hrs ago
At least nine people were killed Sunday when an Iranian missile struck the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, located approximately 18 miles west of Jerusalem, according to Israeli emergency services and military officials.
The Magen David Adom emergency service reported that 28 others were injured in the strike, including two in serious condition, two in moderate condition, and 24 with minor injuries. The Israeli military confirmed that search-and-rescue teams and a helicopter for evacuating the injured were operating at the scene.
The missile impacted a residential area, destroying a synagogue and causing extensive damage to a public bomb shelter and surrounding homes. According to Jerusalem district police commander Avshalom Peled, the majority of those killed had been inside the public shelter when the missile struck. The police chief said a direct impact on the shelter appeared to have occurred, and rescue workers continued searching through rubble for additional victims.
The strike represents the highest casualty count for Israel since the conflict began on Saturday, February 28. On that date, the United States and Israel carried out joint strikes against Iranian regime facilities, an operation Israel called "Roaring Lion." In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks against American bases in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan, as well as against Israeli targets.
Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said in a televised address on Sunday: "You have crossed our red line and must pay the price."
The Israeli military stated that Iran launched "dozens" of missiles toward Israeli territory. The U.S. military reported no American casualties and minimal infrastructure damage despite what it described as "hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks" against American assets in the region.
Residents of Tel Aviv reported hearing loud explosions, which were either from missile strikes or air defense system interceptions. One woman in her 40s was also reported killed in Tel Aviv during the broader Iranian missile barrage.
The Israeli military said the circumstances of the ballistic missile impact in Beit Shemesh were under review. The military accused Iran of aiming at civilians in the strike.