Three Israeli civilians were killed in Iranian ballistic missile attacks on central Israel between Friday and early Saturday morning.
In Rishon Letzion, two people died: Yisrael Aloni, 73, and a woman in her 40s whose name has not yet been released for publication. The attack also wounded 21 others, four of them seriously, according to the Magen David Adom emergency medical service.
On Friday, Etti (Eti) Cohen Engel from Ramat Gan died from injuries sustained in a missile strike, Uri Shacham, chief of staff of Magen David Adom, confirmed to JNS.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday held urgent consultations with the mayors of Rishon Letzion, Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan following the Iranian missile barrages that claimed three lives in central Israel.
Expressing deep sorrow over the fatalities, Netanyahu conveyed condolences to the victims’ families and praised the resilience of local residents and the Israeli public at large. The prime minister assured municipal leaders that the government would provide all necessary assistance for recovery and the repair of damage caused by the attacks, underscoring the state’s commitment to supporting affected communities in the wake of escalating Iranian aggression.
The Islamic Republic fired about 100 missiles at Israel at about 9 p.m. on Friday, and a few evaded Israel’s defense systems and struck two areas in central Israel, according to Shacham. About 40 people were wounded, including two who were in severe-to-critical condition—Cohen Engel and another victim.
Some others are in moderate condition and the rest had minor injuries, according to Magen David Adom.
At about 2 a.m. on Saturday, Magen David Adom stated that one of its mobile intensive care units was hit by shrapnel in the Tel Aviv area.
“Two crew members, who were wearing protective gear, sustained minor injuries from glass shards,” it said. “They were treated on scene.”
After the third wave of Iranian missile strikes on Israel, at about 1 a.m. local time, Magen David Adom “received numerous reports of buildings that were hit in the center of Israel,” Shacham told JNS. He said that there were three minor injuries.
Before the third wave, at least two buildings were hit and there was also damage to surrounding buildings, according to Shacham.
“We rushed dozens of ambulances, EMTs and paramedics to the scene, and we were able to evacuate them very rapidly into the hospitals,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, Magen David Adom announced a blood drive. Shacham urged Israelis to donate blood if they can.