A family was safely ensconced in their reinforced room in their home in Neta in the Lachisch region when the father heard noises. Thinking it was someone who needed shelter, he stepped out to investigate. Finding no one there, he returned to the safe room. Just as he closed the door, a blast shook the house, inflicting extensive damage to their home.

“We had a great miracle,” the father, who wished to remain unnamed, said. “I was outside and heard the siren. I ran to the safe room and my wife and the children were already there. When the siren ended, I heard noises. I left the safe room because I thought someone was in the house looking for shelter and wanted to get in. I shouted, ‘Is anyone here?’ No one answered, and I went back to the safe room.”

“The moment I closed the door, I heard a huge explosion,” he continued. “When we came out, we saw smoke and dust. The house was badly hit and there is massive damage.”

Next-door neighbor Dina Gavrieli said that her house sustained light damage from the strike.

“There is minor property damage, but the main thing is that everyone is safe,” she said. “We are still processing and slowly recovering from this incident.”

“My husband and I are both in reserve duty, and we hadn’t seen each other all week,” she said. “It was a quiet evening. There was a siren and my husband was at prayers. I went into the safe room with the children, and within two minutes we heard interception explosions that I’m not used to hearing. It sounded closer, and within moments there was a very loud boom. The house shook and there was a strong blast wave.”

“I realized a missile had fallen outside the house,” she continued. “We were all in shock, and I told the children something had happened outside our window. Later I went out and saw stones and shrapnel in our yard, the neighbors’ house and all the destruction. I was worried at first, but after I heard them speaking I calmed down. I helped them a bit with the children and held them until they were evacuated. We are glad they are safe.”