Most of those killed in Beit Shemesh attack were in public bomb shelter — police official

Jerusalem District police chief Avshalom Peled speaks to reporters at the site of an Iranian missile impact in Beit Shemesh on March 1, 2026. (Screenshot/Israel Police)
Jerusalem District police chief Avshalom Peled speaks to reporters at the site of an Iranian missile impact in Beit Shemesh on March 1, 2026. (Screenshot/Israel Police)

The majority of those killed in today’s Iranian missile impact in Beit Shemesh had been taking cover in a public shelter, says the Jerusalem District police chief.

Deputy Commissioner Avshalom Peled is speaking at the scene of a lethal strike that left nine dead and over two dozen wounded.

“As far as I know… it was likely a direct impact on the shelter and most, if not all of those killed, were in there [the public shelter],” says Peled.

He adds that police were aware during the last round of fighting with Iran in June that public shelters and safe rooms are unable to withstand the force of a direct ballistic missile impact.

The senior cop nevertheless urges civilians to continue to take shelter amid missile fire from Iran to guard from lighter impacts.

“Those located in a protected area when the damage isn’t direct, which is the majority of cases, are indeed shielded from the missile or debris that flies through the air,” Peled continues.

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