Authorities identify nine victims of Iranian ballistic missile strike on Beit Shemesh

Nine people including four teenagers died when an Iranian missile hit a synagogue and shelter in Beit Shemesh on March 1, 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 2, 2026, 9:45 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Times of Israel

Identification of the deceased in Beit Shemesh

The Beit Shemesh municipality and emergency services confirmed the identities of nine individuals killed in the Sunday evening attack. Among the victims were siblings Yaakov, 16, Avigail, 15, and Sara Biton, 13. The strike also claimed the lives of Ronit Elimelech, 45, and her mother, Sara Elimelech. Additionally, Bruria Cohen and her adult son, Yosef Cohen, were identified as fatalities, along with 16 year old Gavriel Baruch Ravach and Oren Katz.

Circumstances of the residential strike

The fatalities occurred when a ballistic missile carrying an estimated 500 kilogram warhead struck a residential neighborhood. The projectile destroyed a local synagogue and caused extensive damage to a public bomb shelter located directly beneath the structure. While air defense systems were activated in the area during the alert, the Israeli Air Force is currently investigating why interceptors failed to neutralize the missile before impact.

Emergency response and survivor recovery

First responders from United Hatzalah discovered the medical kit and vest of Ronit Elimelech, a volunteer with the service, among the debris. Elimelech had entered the public shelter with her three children when the sirens sounded. While Elimelech and her mother were killed, rescue teams successfully extracted two of her children from the rubble. The survivors were transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem with light to moderate injuries. A third child and Elimelech’s father were reported safe following the collapse.