On Sunday, Israel suffered one of the deadliest attacks on her soil since October 7. Nine people, most of whom were families, were killed. A synagogue and the bomb shelter beneath it were also damaged in the strike as well as several homes. The Times of Israel gives the names of those who were lost so that we may remember them always.
The IDF said that the failure to intercept the missile that hit Beit Shemesh was under investigation by the Israeli Air Force.
Air defense systems were activated in the area, but the interceptors failed to shoot down the missile for as-yet unclear reasons, resulting in the direct hit by the estimated 500-kilogram warhead.
Even as they were buried, mourners at some of the funerals were forced to take cover as Iran fired further missiles at Israel.
Ronit Elimelech and her mother Sara died in the strike, but her children and husband survived. Ronit was supported by The Fellowship as a United Hatzalah volunteer and was identified when her medical kit and vest was found in the rubble. United Hatzalah president Eli Beer recalls how Ronit volunteered for Untied Hatzalah at the request of her son for his birthday.
Hundreds also attended the funeral of Yaakov, Avigail, and Sara Biton on Monday. The three teens were killed in the initial explosion when the missile hit. They are survived by their father and grandmother.
Oren Katz was also laid to rest yesterday and is survived by his wife and children. His brother, Yosef, recalls the last time he saw him was earlier that day when he came home from work for lunch.
Another teen, Gavriel Baruch Ravach was one of the first victims identified by the Beit Shemesh municipality. His father had not only donated to but had a hand in building the city’s synagogue –the same one that was hit in the strike.
Well into his adult life, Yosef Cohen was always dedicated to taking care of his elderly mother Bruria. The community remembers them as nearly inseparable.
The Fellowship and our supporters feel these losses on a deeply personal level and pray for the families, their neighbors, Beit Shemesh, and the entire nation of Israel during this time, and that the brave souls of the IDF and U.S. Armed Forces defeat the Iranian regime.