Beit Shemesh remained on alert as regional tensions escalated, with Israel detailing the opening phase of its military operation against Iran and Britain confirming missile launches toward Cyprus.
Six people were killed in a direct Iranian ballistic missile attack in Beit Shemesh, Israel emergency services confirm. 17 additional people were injured in the attack.
â Ariel Oseran Ă£ñĂĆ ĂĂâ ĂÂŁĂËĂÂłĂĆ Ă±Ă§à (@ariel_oseran) March 1, 2026
The IDF says that the early warning systems worked properly, and that the incident is being investigated. https://t.co/oRuhvICcMm pic.twitter.com/O7fXntEByw
Missiles fired toward Cyprus
Britainâs defence secretary said Iran launched two missiles toward Cyprus, where the United Kingdom maintains military bases, according to The Standard. He did not clarify whether the British bases were the intended targets.
Cyprus hosts key UK military infrastructure, including air bases, radar systems and aircraft facilities. The island has previously faced alleged Iranian plots targeting British personnel. There was no immediate confirmation of damage.
IDF outlines âOperation Roaring Lionâ
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said that in the opening minute of Operation Roaring Lion, 40 senior Iranian commanders were killed.
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âWe are acting to remove an existential threat,â he said. Defrin added that Iranâs Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei bore responsibility for the October 7 attack on Israel.
He stressed that Israelâs defences are not hermetic and urged the public to follow Home Front Command instructions. Entering protected spaces when alerts sound saves lives, he said.
Defrin described the campaign as an effort to remove what he called an existential threat. He also said the IDF is operating in close coordination with the US military, including US Central Command, calling it unprecedented cooperation that continues to grow.
He warned that any action by Hezbollah or other fronts would be met with significant force. âWe will not allow harm to Israeli civilians,â he said.
Impact reported near Beit Shemesh
Footage released by the military showed Israeli Air Force strikes in central Tehran. Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that Gholam Reza Rezaiyan, head of the intelligence centre of Iranâs police force, was killed in strikes the previous day.
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In Israel, interceptor debris was documented in the Negev. Medics said at least one man was injured in central Israel following an Iranian ballistic missile or fragment impact. Magen David Adom listed him in moderate condition.
Emergency teams were also responding to reports of an impact in the Beit Shemesh area, near Jerusalem, as authorities continued to assess the situation.
