Tehran (Lamaane.net) - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared it had begun the ninth phase of its military campaign against U.S. and Israeli-linked targets, as Israeli officials confirmed that a ballistic missile from Iran struck a public shelter in Beit Shemesh, killing nine people and wounding dozens in a direct hit that intensified fears over the conflict's trajectory.
Israel’s public broadcaster Kan News reported that the missile impacted a municipal shelter in the city west of Jerusalem, with most of the victims inside the reinforced structure at the time of the strike. Channel 12 said at least 57 people were injured, including several in serious condition. Emergency crews continued searching for roughly 20 individuals believed to be trapped beneath debris.
Local authorities described widespread structural damage. The news outlet Walla! cited police officials who said four buildings collapsed and multiple residential blocks were rendered unsafe.
Israel’s Home Front Command deployed large rescue teams and air evacuation units to the scene. The military stated sirens had been activated in the area, while some residents questioned whether sufficient warning time had been provided. An investigation into the interception failure is ongoing.
In a separate statement, the IRGC claimed its broader wave of attacks caused dozens of casualties in Haifa, though Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed those figures. Israeli media also reported damage in Tel Aviv and the south, with air-raid sirens sounding across multiple regions, including near military installations.
The escalation follows Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian territory that began Saturday. Iranian state-affiliated outlets reported the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior commanders. Iran has since launched successive missile and drone barrages toward Israel and U.S. positions in the Gulf.
According to Israeli media tallies, at least 12 people have been killed and more than 500 injured nationwide since the start of hostilities.
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