In central Israel, a tragic incident unfolded Thursday morning when an Iranian ballistic missile hit Soroka Medical Center in B-Elba, injuring at least six people seriously. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked on the situation, asserting, “We are accurately targeting nuclear and missile installations while they are striking the pediatric ward of the hospital.” He’s currently assessing the hospital’s damages.
The missile strikes have resulted in homelessness for many. Ariel Levin Waldman, who was at his in-laws’ home in Lishon Legion during a renovation, shared his experience. An attack struck a nearby residential area, resulting in two deaths and multiple injuries, including one victim who succumbed shortly after the initial strike.
Levin Waldman recounted the moments when the missile alerts blared around 5 AM: “I rushed to grab my phone and get my family to the shelter, and then—boom. There was a flash, everything darkened, and we found it hard to breathe.” He added, “Our shelter was filled with dust; it was a struggle to see.” He discovered that although his limbs were intact, the blast had moved furniture dangerously.
Amidst the chaos, he noted his stepmother bleeding, calling for help in a faint voice: “I managed to clear a path so my wife and children could escape.” When they reached safety, the destruction around them was overwhelming—glass littered the ground, remnants of their car lay where it once was.
Just about 20 hours later, another missile struck a building near his hotel in Rehobot, shaking the entire structure and breaking windows. He expressed the difficulty of confronting the tragic unpredictability of their situation, noting that since the conflict began on June 13, Iran’s missile attacks have resulted in 24 Israeli fatalities and over 800 injuries.
The strikes have indiscriminately affected people of all ages and backgrounds. This was tragically illustrated when four women lost their lives in missile strikes on homes in Tamra, a predominantly Arab town near Haifa.
On the political front, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid described the frightening experience of how a missile explosion nearly harmed his granddaughter: “Her bed was covered in glass; it’s terrifying to imagine.” Lapid emphasized the urgent need to address nuclear threats posed by Iran for the safety of Israel.
The echoes of devastation were felt by many, including coalition lawmaker Hanok Mildwhisky, who reported significant damage in nearby buildings from a powerful missile explosion. He asserted that as long as the Iranian threat persists, military operations would continue.
Emergency services volunteer Jamal Waraki also shared his experiences, having rescued an elderly neighbor only to discover later that his own home had been struck. Thankfully, his family was elsewhere at the time, but the trauma of the attacks continues to linger.
Amidst the turmoil, Lihi Griner, a well-known local figure, recounted the surreal moment an Iranian missile hit her complex in Petatikba. While in a safe room with her family, the noise was deafening, and when they finally assessed the damage, they found themselves in disbelief at the destruction.
In the aftermath, residents were initially taken to a nearby school for safety, but eventually returned to scour their damaged homes. Though Griner’s apartment is currently uninhabitable, she remains grateful for her family’s safety. Levin-Waldman concluded his story with relief as he learned that, remarkably, his dog had survived the chaos.
