Israelโs president confirmed that the security situation is rapidly evolving following a new wave of reported strikes from Iran. Officials say multiple impacts were recorded within minutes, and authorities are bracing for what could be a significant response involving both Israel and the United States.
The latest escalation has heightened tensions across the region, with emergency services placed on high alert. Sirens sounded in several areas as defense systems attempted to intercept incoming missiles.
In Beit Shemesh, a city west of Jerusalem, a ballistic missile strike caused severe devastation. Medical authorities confirmed that nine people were killed in the attack and 28 others were injured.
Among the wounded, two individuals are listed in serious condition, two in moderate condition, and 24 sustained light injuries. Emergency crews worked through debris to locate and treat victims.
According to officials, most of those harmed were inside a public shelter when the missile struck. The impact caused structural collapse, trapping individuals beneath rubble and complicating rescue efforts.
Jerusalem District Police Chief Avshalom Peled stated that the missile directly hit a synagogue. The force of the explosion caused the synagogue to collapse onto the shelter located beneath it.
Peled described the incident as a โdirect impact,โ emphasizing that the majority โ if not all โ of the victims were inside the shelter at the time. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the strike.
As developments continue to unfold, officials warn that the situation remains fluid. Security forces remain deployed, and residents have been urged to stay near protected areas while assessments and response operations continue.
