Iranian Ballistic Missile Attack on Central Israel Results in Casualties

An Iranian ballistic missile strike on central Israel late Friday resulted in the death of a man in his 60s and injuries to several others. The missile, equipped with a cluster bomb warhead, dispersed bomblets over a wide area. One of these bomblets struck a residential building, lightly wounding two men in their 50s, according to police and Magen David Adom. The Fire and Rescue Service reported handling six sites affected by the submunitions.

Earlier on Friday evening, two individuals in the Kuseife area of southern Israel sustained light injuries from falling fragments following the interception of another Iranian ballistic missile. Magen David Adom treated a 37-year-old man and a woman in her 20s, both of whom were transported to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba.

Iran continued its offensive into early Saturday, launching a ballistic missile salvo targeting southern Israel, triggering sirens in Beersheba and surrounding towns. Subsequent attacks on the north and center of the country occurred hours later. These Saturday attacks did not result in injuries.

The recent fatality brings the total number of Israeli civilians and foreign nationals killed by Iranian ballistic missiles to 16 since the conflict began on February 28. Additionally, four Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed. Iran has launched over 450 ballistic missiles at Israel during this period, with the Israeli military reporting a 92 percent interception rate for missiles aimed at populated areas and key infrastructure. Despite these defenses, nine missiles carrying conventional warheads have struck populated areas, causing significant damage in at least six instances. Furthermore, more than 30 incidents involving missiles with cluster bomb warheads have been reported, resulting in over 150 separate impact sites.