Nine Killed, Dozens Wounded as Iranian Missile Destroys Shelter in Beit Shemesh

At least nine people were killed and 51 wounded on Sunday, March 1, when an Iranian ballistic missile scored a direct hit on a residential shelter in Beit Shemesh, marking the deadliest single incident since the start of Operation Roaring Lion. Police confirmed that 11 people remained unaccounted for at the scene as search and rescue teams continued to comb through the rubble. The blast and shockwave almost completely destroyed eight homes in the residential compound.

Four of those killed were believed to have been inside the shelter when its roof collapsed, while others were in adjacent homes. Of the wounded, two were in serious condition and four in moderate condition, with the remainder sustaining light injuries. Magen David Adom evacuated the wounded to Hadassah Ein Kerem, Hadassah Mount Scopus, Shaare Zedek, and Shamir Assaf Harofeh hospitals. Hadassah Medical Center confirmed that 13 patients were taken to Ein Kerem, including three children, with one adult woman listed in serious but stable condition.

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani accused the Iranian regime of deliberately targeting civilians, stating that this has been their strategy since the beginning of the operation. The IDF said preliminary findings indicate that early warning alerts functioned properly in Beit Shemesh and that the circumstances of the impact remain under investigation. Police Commissioner Danny Levy, speaking from the scene, said explosives experts were working to determine the size of the missile and the type of warhead used, describing the site as very complex and likely requiring work through the night.

(YNN/VFI News)

“Heavenly Father, we lift up the families of the victims killed in Beit Shemesh and all those still missing. Comfort the bereaved, heal the wounded, and strengthen the rescue workers tirelessly searching the rubble. We ask that You shelter Your people under Your wings and protect every civilian from the missiles of the enemy. Surround this nation with Your angels and let Your peace reign. In Yeshua’s Name we pray.”