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Iranian Missile Kills Nine in Beit Shemesh as Israel Probes Air-Defense Lapses

Officials have opened inquiries into an interception failure that coincided with a reported shelter breach.

Overview

  • Authorities confirmed nine fatalities and identified three victims — Sarah Elimelech, her daughter Ronit Elimelech, a United Hatzalah volunteer EMT, and Oren Katz.
  • Home Front Command said the projectile likely penetrated a reinforced safe room inside a synagogue, and the IDF launched an inquiry into why the missile was not intercepted.
  • The IDF stated the alert system functioned in Beit Shemesh before impact, while other reports questioned whether sirens sounded, prompting a review of warning procedures.
  • Rescue teams, medics and a military helicopter evacuated the injured, with medical officials reporting about 60 wounded, including several in critical condition and multiple children.
  • The strike occurred during broader Iranian attacks that caused damage and injuries in Gulf locations, with debris reported at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Towers and incidents in Dubai and Oman.