Since June 13, when Israel launched its operation to destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities and reach other vital military objectives, Iran has been firing massive ballistic missiles and cluster bombs into civilian cities and population centers. The relentless attacks have killed more than 20 people, injured hundreds, and rendered hundreds more homeless.
The Holy Land is by its very nature a miraculous place. In the words of Deuteronomy (11:12): “The eyes of L-rd your G‑d are always upon [the Land of Israel], from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.” While we can see clearly the many miracles taking place in Israel today, every life that has been taken is an unforgivable tragedy.
Here are some of the lives we have lost:
Efrat Saranga, 44, Bat Yam
Efrat Saranga was identified as the first victim of the missile barrage that targeted a residential high-rise in Bat Yam on June 15. The eldest of three siblings, she is survived by her husband, Ofir.
Belina Ashkenazi, 94, Bat Yam
Belina Ashkenazi, a 94-year-old grandmother of Bulgarian-Jewish descent, was killed in the attack on the apartment building in Bat Yam.
The strike occurred in the early hours of Sunday, June 15. Bedridden with dementia, living in an apartment without a private bomb shelter, she was unable to reach the communal shelter in time. Her 100-year-old husband, Chaim Ashkenazi, and son remained by her side during the attack, refusing to abandon her. Both were wounded by shrapnel, yet miraculously survived, and are currently hospitalized and fighting for their lives.
A seamstress by trade, Ashkenazi is remembered as endlessly kind, defined by a selfless devotion to her family. In the words of her daughter Aviva, “She was a remarkable woman who gave everything to others.”
“We knew her time was nearing because of her illness,” said her granddaughter Shani, “but none of us imagined it would end this way.”
Meir Vaknin, 56, Bat Yam
Meir Viknin, a proud husband and father of three from Bat Yam, was killed in the early hours of Sunday, June 15.
Michael Nachum, 61, Bat Yam
Michael Nachum was killed on June 15 in the Iranian missile strike on a residential building in Bat Yam. A devoted and beloved father, he is survived by four children.
Yaakov, 77, and Hadassah, 77, Belo, Petach Tikvah
Yaakov and Hadassah Belo were among four people killed in a missile barrage that struck the central Israeli city of Petach Tikvah on Monday.
The city was left shaken by the sudden act of terror. In the words of Mayor Rami Greenberg, “With deep sorrow and great pain, we bow our heads, together with all city residents, over the cruel murder of four Petach Tikvah residents in yesterday’s deadly missile barrage.”
The Belos had reached the safe room in their fourth-story apartment when a missile carrying a warhead weighing 1,000-plus kilograms made a direct impact on the wall between two safe rooms. According to Israeli authorities, in-apartment safe rooms are designed to provide great protection; however, they may not withstand a direct strike of such intensity.
Daisy Yitzchaki, 85, Petach Tikvah
Petach Tikvah Mayor Rami Greenberg confirmed that Daisy Yitzchaki was one of the victims killed when an Iranian ballistic missile landed on her apartment building in the city on June 16. Her caretaker was injured in the attack.
Ivette Shmilovitz, 95, Petach Tikvah
Ivette Shmilovitz was another victim of the Iranian ballistic missile attack that killed three others in Petach Tikvah. Shmilovitz, a Holocaust survivor who rebuilt her life in Israel, was in the building next to the one that was struck and was killed by the shockwave.
Shmilovitz is survived by three granddaughters and four great-grandchildren.
Avraham Cohen, 75, Bnei Brak
On Monday night, a rocket struck Aleh, an institution dedicated to serving children and teens with disabilities, in Bnei Brak.
The force of the explosion impacted a wide radius, and Avraham Cohen was killed in the blast. His body was recovered by paramedics from beneath the rubble of a neighboring building. Though dozens were wounded, he was the only fatality in that attack.
Dani Avraham, 59, Kiryat Motzkin
Uri Levy, 58, Haifa
Igor Fradkin, 50, Kiryat Ata
On June 16, Haifa’s Barzan oil refinery complex was hit at night, claiming three lives.
Dani Avraham is remembered as a modest, hardworking, and a devoted husband and father. He worked in Israel's energy sector for more than 30 years. Known for his optimism and humility, he was always ready to be of service to others with a ready smile and a helping hand.
“Dani was a family man in every sense of the word—a dedicated husband to Iris, his life partner since the age of 16, and a caring father,” said Tziki Avisar, the mayor of Kiryat Motzkin, where the family lived. “His contribution to the war effort during this time, despite the personal risks involved, is deserving of all praise.”
He was killed alongside his colleagues, Uri Levy and Igor Fradkin. When the sirens rang out, the three men rushed to the most protected room in the refinery and were initially in contact with emergency rescue services. Tragically, sparked by the strike, a fire broke out, and all three perished. Dani, Uri and Igor were regarded by co-workers as dedicated, professional and beloved employees.
The Levy family celebrated the joyous occasion of their son just two weeks ago. Levy, who lived in Haifa, leaves behind his wife, three children and granddaughter.
Fradkin lived in nearby Kiryat Ata and is survived by his three children.
Michal Zacks, 50, and Eitan Zacks, 18, Be'er Sheva, Noa Boguslavsky, 18, Arad, Naomi Shaanan, Be'er Sheva
The mother and son were killed alongside their visitor Noa Boguslavsky when when Iran broke a ceasefire agreement on June 24 and fired seven salvos of deadly ballistic missiles attacks into population centers across Israel. The three were in their safe, and left when got the notification it was safe to leave. Tragically, they did not have enough time to rush back to safety when the second siren went off right before they suffered the devastating impact of the missile directly hitting their apartment. The father of the family was also home and was trapped in the rubble, before miraculously extricating himself and surviving.
Naomi Shaanan was the fourth victim of the deadly attack, and was well known for her advocacy for the hostages that remain in Gaza.
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In the barrage fired early on June 15, four women- all of one family- were tragically killed in the Arab city of Tamra, near Hebron. Three of the victims were a mother and her two daughters, Manar al-Qasem Abu al-Hijaa Khatib and her two daughters Hala and Shada, and their relative Manar Diab Khatib.
Five Ukrainian nationals— also all members of one family—were killed on June 15 in the attack on Bat Yam. Maria Peshkurov, 30, came to Israel in 2022, along with her daughter Nastia Borik, 7, and mother Lena Peshkurova, 60, and two cousins, Konstantin Totvich, 9, and Ilya Peshkurov, 13, all of whom were killed in the strike. Tragically, Nastia had been battling leukemia and was receiving medical care when she was killed by Iran.
An 8-year-old girl, a 10-year-old boy and an 18-year-old boy were also killed in the attack on Bat Yam.
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