IDF investigates 2 Iron Dome failures in one day; Hezbollah rockets kill one, wound dozens
One rocket was not intercepted, a missile was struck but fragments later exploded
During a dramatic day with over 100 Hezbollah rockets fired at Israel, the IDF’s vaunted defense systems failed twice, leading to one person killed and dozens of wounded. The Israeli military is now investigating the two unusual incidents in Shfaram and Bnei Brak on Monday evening.
In the Arab-majority town of Shfaram, one out of a volley of four medium-heavy Fajr 5 rockets, which have warheads containing up to 100 kg (220 lb) explosives, struck the side wall of a shelter in a private home.
The explosion trapped and then killed a female teacher who had sheltered there, according to the IDF’s instructions. The other three rockets were intercepted.
According to Army Radio, the safety shelter was part of a floor that had been added to the top of the original building. The IDF is currently examining whether the shelter was constructed in compliance with building codes.
An unconfirmed report by Channel 12 News suggests that an initial investigation found the shelter's walls may have contained a ceramic layer, which shattered upon impact, resulting in the death of Safaa Kat Awad, a teacher and mother of four.
This is Safaa Kat Awad, a mother of four and a teacher from the Israeli-Arab town of Shfaram.
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) November 18, 2024
She was murdered by a Hezbollah rocket today.
Hezbollah is a threat to Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
We will not rest until all Israelis are safe in their homes.
May her memory… pic.twitter.com/kgjIUZ8fKK
According to Ynet News, the neighborhood lacks shelters, however, 13 children who were in a nearby house at the time of the impact were miraculously saved.
“Most of us don't have shelters, and even those who have – it's not really a serious shelter that can protect someone,” one resident said.
All newly constructed homes in Israel are required to include one room made of reinforced concrete with steel doors and window covers. However, many older buildings and whole neighborhoods lack such shelters.
Overall, more than 30 people were wounded in the impact and treated in Rambam Hospital in Haifa, including a 41-year-old woman and a 4-year-old boy in serious condition and a pregnant woman who was transferred for observation. The rest were lightly injured or suffering from acute anxiety, including several children.
“No house left intact”: The scale of the destruction in Shafaram became clear as dawn broke, after a heavy Hezbollah missile hit a civilian building in the Arab town.
— Agencia AJN (@AgenciaAJN) November 19, 2024
Read more: https://t.co/5Z1fSBeCrx#Hezbollah #Israel pic.twitter.com/ACxNL6BWwb
“The IDF provides a strong defensive response to all settlements in the Galilee without discrimination, and the residents in this case behaved as required and entered a protected area,” the IDF later stated.
In a second failure of Israel's aerial defenses on Monday evening, rocket parts landed on an empty bus between Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan, wounding five people.
More footage from the rocket impact in the Ramat Gan area pic.twitter.com/6UWoInldLk
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) November 18, 2024
According to Army Radio, the IDF’s preliminary investigation showed that a large surface-to-surface missile fired by Hezbollah was successfully struck by a David’s Sling interceptor missile at an altitude of 12 km (7.5 miles).
The impact of the interceptor did not cause the missile to explode but only to break apart, according to the report. The intact warhead of the rocket then fell in Bnei Brak, with the explosion wounding several people.
Other fragments fell in nearby locations, causing significant damage.
The IDF said it will continue to investigate why the warhead didn’t explode upon impact.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
