9 Israelis killed, dozens injured as Iranian ballistic missile strikes Beit Shemesh public safety shelter

An Iranian ballistic missile struck the city of Beit Shemesh in Israel on Sunday, killing nine people and injuring dozens more, including children. 

At least four apartment buildings were reported to have been destroyed in the attack, which caused extensive damage to buildings in the area. Initial reports indicate that the missile penetrated a public safety shelter where some of the victims were gathered.

Israel Police Deputy Commissioner Avshalom Peled declared, “As far as I know… it was likely a direct impact on the shelter and most, if not all of those killed, were in there [the public shelter].” 

The shelter was located below a synagogue, which was completely destroyed by the explosion.

While acknowledging that most safety shelters cannot withstand a direct hit from the Iranian ballistic missiles, which carry warheads in excess of 500 kilograms, Peled said that the shelters do protect from nearby impacts. 

“Those located in a protected area when the damage isn’t direct, which is the majority of cases, are indeed shielded from the missile or debris that flies through the air,” Peled said. 

At least 17 injured people were evacuated to hospitals following the strike, emergency services said. 

Multiple ambulances and fire crews were dispatched to the scene of the missile attack, and videos shared on social media showed dozens of emergency responders helping to evacuate people and bodies, while searching the scene for the wounded. 

האסון הקשה ביותר במלחמה: עלה ל-9 מספר הנרצחים בפגיעה בעיר בית שמש. https://t.co/TQFGkRXd3i pic.twitter.com/pkNqZ7dK7B

— שניאור בליניצקי - Shneor Bell (@shneorbell) March 1, 2026

The IDF said that Home Front Command Search and Rescue teams, along with numerous other rescue services and public volunteers were active at the site. 

While the early warning system apparently functioned as intended, the military said it was investigating why the missile was not intercepted. 

בית שמש- 6 נרצחים מפגיעת טיל איראני pic.twitter.com/h7m0qzuNjy

— יוני בן מנחם Yoni Ben Menachem (@BwMnhm) March 1, 2026

Earlier on Sunday, a woman in Tel Aviv became the first casualty of the day on the Israeli side, after reporting shortness of breath while hurrying to her safe room. She was taken to a hospital by Magen David Adom EMS, but was later pronounced dead after resuscitation efforts failed. 

Another woman in Tel Aviv was killed after failing to make it to the safe room in the home where she was staying as a caregiver. The elderly woman she was caring for was rescued alive by emergency medical services. 

On Saturday afternoon, a ballistic missile, which was intercepted over Jerusalem, broke into pieces, with several fragments landing just outside the Old City, less than a kilometer from the Temple Mount, Israeli Police said.