According to Jerusalem Post, a direct Iranian missile attack on the central Israeli city of Beit Shemesh has left multiple civilians dead and dozens wounded, Israeli emergency services confirmed on Sunday. The strike, which targeted a residential neighborhood, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics reported a mass casualty event at the scene, with several fatalities confirmed among the rubble of collapsed buildings. Rescue operations continued late into the night as teams searched for survivors trapped under the debris.

“Iran has crossed every red line, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address following the attack. “They attacked our home, and they will pay a heavy price. We will retaliate against our enemies at a time and place of our choosing, their blood will not be shed in vain.

The strike has sent shockwaves through the nation, shattering the relative quiet of Beit Shemesh, a city known for its mixed population and ancient biblical roots, the Iron Dome aerial defense system was active, but officials stated that the volume and trajectory of the incoming fire overwhelmed defenses in the targeted sector.

The attack has drawn swift international condemnation, with the United States calling it a brazen act of aggression. Meanwhile, sirens continued to sound across central Israel as the military braced for the possibility of further launches, placing the country on high alert.

Related video