Families shattered after Iranian regime unleashes deadly barrage on peaceful Israeli neighborhood synagogue shelter
The names of the eight innocent lives taken in the Iranian missile strike on Beit Shemesh have been released, deepening national grief across Israel. Thirteen-year-old Sarah Biton, fifteen-year-old Avigail Biton, and sixteen-year-old Yaakov Biton were murdered when a missile launched by the Iranian regime struck their community yesterday afternoon.
Also killed were Bruria Gloria Cohen and her son Yosef (Yossi) Cohen, Sarah Elimelech and her daughter Ronit Elimelech, Oren Katz, and teenager Gabriel Baruch Revach. Entire families were torn apart in seconds by a weapon packed with approximately 500 kilograms of explosives, fired by a regime in Iran that continues to escalate violence across the region.
Funerals were held as the nation stood united in sorrow and defiance. Gabriel Revach was laid to rest overnight. Bruria Cohen and her son Yosef were buried at the Beit Shemesh cemetery in the afternoon. Oren Katz, killed while ascending to close the shelter door in an act of responsibility and protection, was mourned this morning. His wife, Smadar, spoke through tears, saying his final act of giving cost him his life and taught everyone the true meaning of selflessness. His son Yosef described a father who always cared for others before himself and urged citizens to contribute to the nation’s strength during wartime.
Preliminary findings show the missile struck a synagogue building around 2:00 PM. The structure contained an underground shelter accessible by descending two flights of stairs. At least three victims were killed inside the damaged shelter. Others were found in the stairwell, at the entrance, and outside the building, underscoring the devastating blast radius of the impact.
The attack has intensified calls for decisive action against the Iranian regime’s aggression, reinforcing Israel’s determination to defend its citizens against those who deliberately target civilians.
