Iranian Missile Strikes Kill Six in Bat Yam and Rehovot: Dozens of Buildings Destroyed

In a devastating overnight missile barrage by Iran, six people were killed and over 200 were injured in the cities of Bat Yam and Rehovot, as two direct hits leveled residential buildings and caused massive destruction. Among the dead are a 10-year-old boy, a young girl, and two elderly women. Authorities continue to search for seven missing persons as rescue operations stretch into Monday.

The deadliest impact occurred in Bat Yam, where a missile exploded between two apartment buildings. The explosion killed four people — a 10-year-old boy, a young girl, a 69-year-old woman, and an 80-year-old woman. Two more bodies were recovered from the rubble on Monday morning.

• Around 180 people were injured, including four in serious condition and seven moderately.

• Seven residents remain missing, with dozens of buildings severely damaged or partially collapsed.

• Commander Daniel Haddad, head of the Ayalon police region, described the area as a “war zone.”

"The missile carried a large explosive payload. It destroyed one building entirely and damaged many others," said Haddad. "We’re working building by building, apartment by apartment, trying to locate missing individuals."

He added that the facade of a 10-story building has collapsed and may still cave in, creating dangerous conditions for rescue crews. A hotline (115) is being opened for families of the missing.

Residents Speak of Chaos, Fear and Loss

Livat Vaknin, a resident of one of the destroyed buildings, told Channel 12 that her father is still missing.

“When the alarm went off, we all ran to the stairwell, but he didn’t make it. He’s a big man, they’ll find him,” she said.
Her brother and family dog were injured in the blast.

Katya, another resident, recounted:

“We heard the explosion and then saw people bleeding. I found my parents alive and helped them to safety, but our home is gone. I don’t know where we’ll go now.”

Mayor Brut: Dozens of Buildings Damaged

Bat Yam Mayor Zvika Brut called the destruction “unprecedented,” stating:

• 61 buildings were damaged in total.

• At least 6–7 buildings will be demolished, with the number possibly rising to double digits.

• A municipal crisis center has been opened, and local hotels are being prepared to shelter displaced families.

Residents say the affected neighborhood had few protected spaces, raising urgent questions about civil defense readiness.

Rehovot: Direct Hit, Weizmann Institute Damaged

In Rehovot, another missile slammed into a residential building, injuring 37 people:

• 2 in serious condition

• 12 moderately injured

• 23 with light injuries

A fire broke out in one of the buildings, and power outages hampered rescue efforts.
IDF and emergency crews confirmed that one person was trapped and later rescued, and that there are no known missing persons at this time.

Residents Describe Destruction

Moshe Noam, a resident and engineer, told Channel 12:

“I’ve inspected buildings hit by Gaza rockets. This was far stronger. I was thrown against the wall by the blast.”

Anat Chomsky, whose elderly parents' home was destroyed, said:

“They were lucky — they went to the shelter. The apartment is unlivable. Their neighbor was seriously injured.”

Weizmann Institute Laboratories Damaged

The Weizmann Institute of Science, a world-renowned research facility in Rehovot, also sustained damage.
Photos from the scene showed smoke rising from laboratory buildings.
According to the institute, no injuries were reported, and coordination with security and emergency services is ongoing.

“Laboratories caught fire due to the missile impact,” reported The New York Times.

Ongoing Search-and-Rescue, Thousands Displaced

The Home Front Command and rescue units expect recovery operations to last at least another day. Authorities report that more than 100 families have been evacuated in Bat Yam alone.

Commander Haddad stressed the risk of looting, saying police are securing the scene and only allowing supervised access for residents to retrieve essential belongings.

Conclusion: Mounting Civilian Toll 

This latest escalation by Iran has inflicted the highest civilian death toll in a single night since the war began. The attacks underscore the growing vulnerability of Israel’s urban centers and the immense strain on emergency and housing infrastructure.

With families grieving, hundreds injured, and entire communities displaced, the scope of recovery — physical and emotional — is just beginning.