Dozens Injured After Iranian Ballistic Missile Hits Northern Israeli Town Zarzir

A ballistic missile launched from Iran struck the northern Israeli town of Zarzir early Friday morning, injuring about 60 residents and causing widespread destruction to homes and property. Local authorities reported that one person was hospitalized in moderate condition, while the rest of the injured sustained minor wounds. The strike caused significant structural damage across the town, with nearly 300 homes affected, according to municipal officials.

Residents recounted dramatic scenes following the explosion.

Khaled Grifat, a resident whose home was damaged, described the moments after the missile struck.

“I woke up from the alarm but didn’t have time to reach the safe room,” he said. “My five children were already inside. Suddenly, there was a huge explosion. Everything filled with smoke, and there was no electricity. I started searching for the children in the dark.”

Grifat said the blast threw his wife into the air.

“I don’t wish what I went through on my enemies,” he said. “I saw my wife literally flying through the air. She was bleeding, and we began searching together for the children.”

Two of the couple’s children have special needs, which made the search even more difficult, he added.

Rescue Efforts After Homes Damaged

Hamza Grifat, another resident, said the explosion shook the entire neighborhood.

“The impact shook the whole house,” he said. “It took us almost ten minutes to understand what had happened. The children were screaming and my wife couldn’t walk. We started calling for help and neighbors came to assist and forced open the door.”

Emergency teams later evacuated residents from damaged homes.

Local Officials: Entire Houses Destroyed

The head of the Zarzir Local Council, Atef Grifat, said the missile landed just six to seven meters from nearby homes, causing severe destruction.

“One of the houses was completely destroyed,” he said. “Nearly 300 homes were damaged by the impact. Those who were inside their protected rooms were saved, while those outside were injured.

Earlier in the night, residents across the Galilee, the Golan Heights, and nearby valleys received three alerts from Israel’s Home Front Command warning of missile launches from Iran.

Minutes after one of the alerts was issued, one of the missiles struck Zarzir directly.

“We Saw Death,” Residents Say

Residents who were lightly injured in the blast described the strike as a near-fatal experience.

“We saw death,” said Muhammad and Ahmed Grifat. “Miraculously we were not killed. We call on everyone to stay indoors and enter protected spaces during alarms.”

Musa Grifat, whose home was among those severely damaged, said he and several family members were injured.

“I am still in shock,” he said. “We never believed missiles from Iran would reach us here. My brothers, my grandson and my wife were all injured and taken to hospital.”

Authorities continue to assess the damage in the town as emergency crews and engineers inspect buildings and assist displaced residents.