Motti Leitner, Head of Security for the Beit Shemesh Municipality and Deputy Mayor, spoke Sunday afternoon from the scene of the devastating missile strike in the city that left several people dead — Hashem yikom damam — and dozens wounded in varying degrees.

Leitner emphasized that strict adherence to Home Front Command instructions saved numerous lives that otherwise could have been lost, given the wide radius of the blast. He also urged residents to keep access roads clear to allow emergency forces to move freely in and out of the area.

“The incident is severe and still ongoing,” Leitner said at the outset. “The municipality’s careful and precise preparedness once again proved itself. From the moment the impact was heard, all municipal teams and emergency centers arrived on site and surrounded the command posts. The event is being managed in a very effective manner.”

Leitner concluded with a direct appeal to the public: “First and foremost, it is critical to follow instructions — enter shelters. Security protocols save lives. The outcome is severe and painful, but many others could have been injured or harmed had people not adhered to the guidelines. Follow the instructions. We have no one but our Father in Heaven. We must do our hishtadlus, and with Hashem’s help, may as few people as possible be harmed in this important war.”

{Matzav.com}