Nine people were killed and more than twenty others were injured, including children, when an Iranian missile struck a residential building in the city of Beit Shemesh in central Israel during a heavy barrage launched shortly after midday. The IDF Spokesperson clarified that advance warning systems were activated as required.

Hashem yikom damam: Eight people were murdered in what officials described as an especially severe scene in the Beit Shemesh area following a direct missile hit. Numerous additional victims sustained injuries of varying severity, among them children.

Moshe Horowitz, Dovid Leff, and Yechiel Rosenberg, volunteers with United Hatzalah, described the devastation: “This is a scene of extensive destruction across multiple buildings. Unfortunately, several victims in critical condition were located inside the structures. We also provided medical assistance to additional casualties in various conditions, some of them children. Support was also given to residents suffering from anxiety who live near the impact site.”

Magen David Adom reported that 23 injured individuals were treated at the scene, including two in serious condition, three in moderate condition, and 18 with light injuries. The wounded were treated on site and transported to nearby hospitals for further care.

Chaim Weingarten, Deputy Director of Operations at ZAKA, who was present at the scene, stated: “ZAKA Jerusalem District teams together with the Beit Shemesh unit are currently operating at a very difficult scene following a direct hit on a residential complex in the city. When I arrived, I saw tremendous chaos — people injured as a result of the direct impact. We are working to ensure kavod hameis. Further updates will follow. I once again urge the public: Home Front Command instructions save lives. Please follow them carefully and strictly in order to prevent further loss of life, chas v’shalom.”

The IDF Spokesperson addressed the incident, saying: “Home Front Command rescue forces, alongside numerous medical teams and a helicopter for evacuating the wounded, are currently operating at the impact site in Beit Shemesh. The Commander of the Home Front Command is en route to the scene.” The spokesperson further clarified: “Following a review, the preliminary warning as well as the alert were activated as required in the Beit Shemesh impact zone. The circumstances of the strike are under investigation.”

Israel Police announced that officers from the Yerushalayim District, together with emergency and rescue forces, are operating at the scene of the direct strike on a building in Beit Shemesh. Jerusalem District Commander Superintendent Avshalom Peled is present at the site and is conducting a special situational assessment with all emergency and rescue agencies to coordinate continued life-saving operations.

“Yerushalayim District police officers and Border Police fighters are assisting emergency teams in searching for trapped individuals, and bomb disposal units are scanning the area to rule out the presence of additional munitions,” the police said in a statement. “Israel Police request that the public refrain from arriving at or gathering near the impact site in order to avoid endangering lives and to allow police, emergency, and rescue forces to operate effectively.”

{Matzav.com}