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The structural damage was catastrophic. Authorities confirmed nine fatalities and at least 28 injuries. On-site triage revealed a spectrum of trauma, with two individuals in critical condition, two in moderate condition, and the remaining 24 with minor injuries caused mainly by flying glass and concussive force. Jerusalem district hospitals declared a “Mass Casualty Event,” clearing operating rooms and calling in off-duty surgical teams to handle the influx.
A Sanctuary Collapsed: The Synagogue Strike
Jerusalem District Police Chief Avshalom Peled reported from the wreckage that the missile directly hit a local synagogue. The explosion’s force caused the upper structure to collapse onto a reinforced public shelter beneath the building. Tragically, most, if not all, of the deceased were inside the shelter at the time. The reinforced concrete above crushed the ceiling, severely complicating rescue efforts. Specialized engineering units with heavy lifting equipment and thermal sensors were required to stabilize debris before survivors could be safely extracted. The psychological toll on first responders, many local volunteers, has been immense.
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