Gantz visits northern city of Tamra after four residents killed in missile strike

Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Benny Gantz and other National Union MKs visit the city of Tamra on June 16, 2025, after it was hit in a Iranian missile strike. (Courtesy National Unity)
Benny Gantz and other National Union MKs visit the city of Tamra on June 16, 2025, after it was hit in a Iranian missile strike. (Courtesy National Unity)

Accompanied by Tamra’s Mayor Musa Abu Rumi, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz, along with MKs Matan Kahana and Michael Biton, visit the northern Arab city of Tamra on Monday morning to pay condolences to the families of those killed in the Iranian missile barrage over the weekend.

“It was important for me to come to Tamra today, both to share in the pain of the personal loss and to clearly say that there is no place for inflammatory and partisan calls like those heard by individuals who do not represent society,” Gantz states.

“This is true in everyday life and even more so in an emergency. The missiles from Iran do not distinguish between Petah Tikva, Tel Aviv or Tamra. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones, condolences from me and from all the people of Israel.”

On Saturday, a missile struck a two-story home in Tamra, killing four women and injuring some 10 people.

The women were named as Manar Khatib and her two daughters, Hala, 20, and Shada, 13, as well as another relative, also named Manar Khatib. The latter, Manar Khatib, was married to the brother of the father of the family.

Gantz’s party on Sunday condemned a video circulating on social media that showed a Jewish family cheering as Iranian ballistic missiles fell in Tamra.

“On the village, on the village!” a man could be heard shouting in the clip.

He and others then broke into singing the anti-Arab phrase “May your village burn,” clapping their hands as missiles rain down on the neighboring city.

After visiting Tamra, Gantz, Biton and MK Orit Farkash-Hacohen visited Haifa to meet Mayor Yona Yahav and tour the site of another missile strike.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.