An Iranian-launched ballistic missile directly struck a residential building in the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, resulting in a tragedy that left nine dead and more than two dozen injured
The impact caused the building to collapse, creating a scene of destruction and urgency, with rescue teams mobilized to help victims trapped in the rubble.
According to Magen David Adom, Israel’s main emergency medical service, paramedics treated several injured people in the area, including a girl in serious condition due to the direct impact of the missile.
Initially, reports indicated two people in serious condition, but the death toll was confirmed as nine, with the victims likely inside a shelter at the time of the explosion.
The commander of the Jerusalem District of the Israeli Police, Avshalom Peled, explained to local media that, in cases of direct impacts on shelters or reinforced rooms, these structures do not always withstand the devastating force of ballistic missiles.
He emphasized that the search for possible survivors continues and that it is not possible to confirm if all have been located.
The area was evacuated to allow the Home Front Command of the Israel Defense Forces to operate safely, given the imminent risk of further building collapses.
The organization United Hatzalah, which works in medical emergencies, reported that its teams treated more than 20 people in various locations in the Beit Shemesh area, including several children, most with minor injuries.
Images released by Magen David Adom captured the intensity of the explosion and the immediate effort of the teams to provide assistance to those affected.
On the same day, another Iranian missile hit a public building in the city of Rosh Ha’ayin, slightly injuring one person, which broadened the scope of the threat.
This attack in Beit Shemesh occurred amidst an intense escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran, which has involved the launch of hundreds of missiles and dozens of drones against Israeli territory since the beginning of hostilities.
The city of Beit Shemesh, located about 30 kilometers west of Jerusalem and known for its strong religious communities, experienced moments of terror when warning sirens sounded and the violent tremor of the detonation echoed.
Many residents were at home or running for shelter when the projectile fell, exposing entire families to danger.
The incident is part of a larger wave of attacks that began the previous day, February 28, 2026. On that date, Iranian missiles struck a residential block in Tel Aviv, killing a 40-year-old woman – the first fatality since the start of “Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury,” a joint military action between Israel and the United States against the Iranian regime.
At least 21 people were injured in this attack in Tel Aviv: a 40-year-old man suffered serious shrapnel wounds and was taken to Ichilov Hospital in serious condition; a 30-year-old man and a 90-year-old woman were hospitalized in moderate condition; And 17 other people, including seven children, suffered minor injuries.
Two apartment buildings in the area suffered significant damage.
Also on Sunday, March 1st, a second indirect death was recorded: a 60-year-old woman died after suffering severe shortness of breath while running for shelter.
Magen David Adom teams provided first aid at the scene and evacuated her to Ichilov Hospital, attempting to resuscitate her during transport.
Despite prolonged efforts by the hospital’s medical team, she did not survive and was pronounced dead.
New waves of missiles struck northern Israel and the Jerusalem area in the early hours of Saturday morning, but searches conducted by Magen David Adom reported no casualties in these incidents.
A third wave of alerts on Saturday morning resulted in minor injuries to people who were hurt while running for shelter, as well as cases of panic, with no confirmed direct impacts.
Israeli authorities responded quickly, mobilizing paramedics, firefighters, and security forces to provide first aid, evacuate the injured to nearby hospitals, and continue search and rescue operations.
Hospitals in the region reinforced their staff to handle the large number of patients, prioritizing the most urgent cases.
The Magen David Adom (Israeli Ministry of Defense) urged the population to strictly follow the guidelines of the Civil Defense Command to minimize risks amidst ongoing threats.
This tragic episode highlights the vulnerability of civilian areas far from the front lines, even with advanced air defense systems in operation.
The Israeli people, once again, demonstrate resilience in facing these adversities, with emergency services acting in a coordinated and efficient manner.
The international community is following the unfolding conflict with concern, hoping that diplomatic interventions can contain the escalation and prevent further loss of life.
For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims, their families, and the professionals who work tirelessly to save lives in times of crisis.
Published in 03/02/2026 01h15
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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