A direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile on a residential neighborhood in Beit Shemesh west of Jerusalem killed nine people and injured more than 40 others Sunday afternoon.
The strike destroyed a synagogue, heavily damaged a public bomb shelter and caused extensive damage to homes and buildings, according to Israeli authorities and emergency responders. Magen David Adom initially reported eight fatalities but the death toll rose to nine as rescue operations continued.
Emergency crews, police, military personnel and search-and-rescue teams deployed to the neighborhood as helicopters and additional resources arrived at the scene. Rescuers worked through damaged structures and concrete debris while searching for victims and survivors.
Investigation Into Defense Failures
Jerusalem District Police Chief Avshalom Peled said most of those killed were believed to have been inside a public shelter when the missile struck. The Israel Defense Forces said the failure to intercept the missile was under investigation.
Air-defense systems had been activated, but the missile reached the area with an estimated 500-kilogram warhead, according to Israeli reporting. The Home Front Command examined the condition and performance of the shelter.
Authorities emphasized that residents should follow emergency instructions and seek protected areas when warning systems activate, though no shelter can withstand every direct ballistic-missile impact.
Victims and Community Impact
The nine victims included three teenage siblings, a mother and her adult daughter, another mother and her adult son, a 16-year-old boy and a 46-year-old man. Medical centers in Jerusalem treated numerous victims, including children, with some suffering serious injuries.
The strike was described as the deadliest single Iranian missile attack in Israel during the current round of fighting. Residents confronted damaged homes, shattered windows and debris throughout the neighborhood.
Escalating Conflict
The attack came amid an intensified confrontation between Israel and Iran, with repeated missile launches, air-defense operations and military strikes raising concerns about further escalation. For residents of Israeli cities, the conflict has brought repeated warnings to seek shelter as incoming missiles threaten populated areas.
Israeli authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the strike, including the missile’s interception failure and shelter performance. Officials are also assessing broader damage and supporting those injured and displaced.
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting team contributed to this report.