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At least nine people were killed and 27 others injured after missiles struck the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh early Monday, emergency services said, marking one of the deadliest single attacks on civilians in the country since the latest regional conflict erupted.
Sirens wailed across the city shortly before dawn as residents scrambled for shelter. Minutes later, explosions tore through a residential neighborhood west of Jerusalem, flattening homes, shattering windows and sending debris flying across several blocks.
Local authorities said a synagogue where dozens of people had taken refuge during the air raid was directly hit. The building collapsed almost entirely, trapping people beneath heavy concrete slabs and twisted metal.
Rescue teams worked through smoke and dust to pull survivors from the rubble. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with cars crushed, power lines down and families searching frantically for loved ones.
“We saw destroyed homes, flames and smoke rising from residential buildings, wrecked cars, and significant chaos at the scene,” said Dror Eini, a paramedic with Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical service.
Police confirmed that at least 11 people remain missing. Search crews continued digging late into the evening, using heavy machinery and thermal imaging equipment to locate survivors.
The Israel Defense Forces accused Iran of deliberately targeting civilian areas. In a statement posted on social media, the military said ballistic missiles were fired directly toward the city, calling the strike “a blatant attack on innocent civilians.”
The assault forms part of a broader escalation unfolding across the Middle East. Iranian forces launched missiles and drones at multiple targets in what officials described as retaliation for ongoing military operations conducted by Israel and the United States.
Across the Gulf, explosions were also reported overnight. One person was killed in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, while another fatality was confirmed in Kuwait. Dozens more were injured as missiles and drones struck military and logistical sites linked to US allies.
Regional officials said the scale and coordination of the attacks suggest one of the largest direct confrontations between Iran and its adversaries in years. Analysts warned that further retaliation could push the region into a wider war.
In Beit Shemesh, the human toll was evident. Families gathered outside hospitals waiting for updates. Volunteers distributed water and blankets to residents whose apartments had been destroyed.
“I heard the blast and everything shook,” said Yael Cohen, who lives two streets away from the impact site. “The windows shattered, and we ran to the shelter. When we came out, the synagogue was gone.”
Hospitals in Jerusalem activated emergency protocols, calling in additional staff and postponing non-urgent procedures to treat the influx of casualties. Several victims remain in critical condition, doctors said.
The conflict has also disrupted global travel. Aviation authorities reported thousands of flights grounded or diverted across the Middle East, citing airspace closures and safety concerns. Airlines described it as the most significant interruption since the COVID-19 pandemic, with ripple effects expected for days.
Security experts warned that commercial aviation and energy infrastructure could remain vulnerable if hostilities continue. Oil markets reacted nervously, and governments urged citizens to avoid nonessential travel.
International leaders called for restraint. Diplomatic channels were working to prevent further escalation, though officials acknowledged that tensions remain extremely high.
As night fell, rescue workers in Beit Shemesh continued combing through debris under floodlights, hoping to find survivors. For residents, the devastation served as a stark reminder of how quickly distant geopolitical rivalries can strike home.
“This neighborhood was quiet yesterday,” said one volunteer. “Today it looks like a battlefield.”