Feed aggregator

Rescue crews and Home Front Command forces have been working urgently in recent hours to locate four individuals believed trapped beneath the debris of a residential building in Haifa that was struck directly by a powerful Iranian missile.

The missing include an elderly couple, their son—approximately 40 years old—and a caregiver, all of whom are feared to have been inside the building at the time of the impact.

Home Front Command chief Major General Shai Klapper, who arrived at the scene, voiced grave concern over the situation, stating, “This is an extremely complex site, and there is serious concern for the lives of the missing. We are operating with extreme caution due to the significant engineering and security challenges.”

Officials said the rescue effort is complicated by the possibility that part of the missile, which penetrated the structure and caused three floors to collapse, may not have detonated. While engineering teams have cleared nearby tree-lined streets to allow heavy equipment access, the building’s location on a sloped terrain is making it difficult to safely reach the impact zone.

In response to these hazards, rescue personnel are constructing a specialized “tunnel” using advanced equipment in an effort to reach those trapped without triggering additional structural collapse or any unexploded ordnance that may still be present.

Search efforts intensified after a cellphone belonging to one of the missing individuals was discovered within the wreckage, helping narrow the focus to a specific area. The son, who resides in Herzliya, has not responded to calls, and the family’s vehicles were located in a nearby parking area, reinforcing the assessment that they were inside the building when it was hit.

In the immediate aftermath of the strike, an approximately 82-year-old man in serious condition and a toddler with minor injuries were rescued and evacuated. Several others at the scene were treated for shock.

MDA Senior EMT Shevach Rothenshtrych reported from the scene: “When we arrived at the street, we saw a multi-story building that had been hit, with extensive destruction at the scene. Residents who were there told us there were casualties trapped under the rubble on the lower floors. We managed to move large pieces of concrete with our hands and rescued an 82-year-old man from the debris, who was in serious condition but conscious. We provided him with initial treatment at the scene and evacuated him to the hospital in an MDA mobile intensive care unit ambulance while in serious condition. Large MDA teams at the scene are providing medical treatment to several people in mild condition and are prepared to provide medical care to additional casualties if they are located during the searches”

MDA Paramedic Lamas Salameh added, “This is a 7-story building that sustained a direct hit, causing extensive damage. We arrived at the scene with large MDA teams, including ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and MDA medicycles, and began searching the scenes. During the searches, we located an 83-year-old casualty in serious condition who was injured by the destruction. In addition, we treated 3 other casualties in mild condition, as well as several people suffering from anxiety symptoms. We are continuing to search the scenes to ensure there are no additional casualties and will remain on site as required.”

MDA Senior EMT Tal Shustak also described the response, saying, “Immediately upon receiving the reports at MDA’s emergency dispatch center about a building being hit, we were dispatched in large forces to the scene and saw extensive destruction, including glass, smoke, and concrete scattered across the ground. We rescued an 82-year-old man from the building’s rubble who was in serious condition after being struck by debris. We provided him with medical treatment and evacuated him to the hospital. In addition, we treated three people in mild condition – a 77-year-old woman, a 38-year-old woman, and a 10-month-old baby who suffered a head injury. They were injured by shrapnel, and we provided them with medical treatment. We also treated several people suffering from anxiety symptoms at the scene, and we are continuing to search the area.”

{Matzav.com}

Iranian officials struck a defiant tone Sunday, warning they could expand attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure across the Middle East if President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to intensify airstrikes and seize control of Iran’s oil resources.

In an interview with Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump said Tehran had until Monday morning to accept a proposed deal, or he would consider “blowing everything up and taking over the oil.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded with its own warning, saying the regime would escalate strikes against oil facilities and civilian infrastructure if the United States and Israel increase their military actions.

The warning followed Iran’s claim of responsibility for coordinated attacks over the weekend targeting petrochemical facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Kuwait, a close U.S. ally, appeared to sustain the most significant damage, with its Ministry of Electricity and Water reporting that two power plants and one desalination facility were struck and damaged during a 24-hour barrage.

In addition to threatening regional infrastructure, the IRGC said it would specifically increase attacks on American economic interests if strikes against civilian sites in Iran continue.

The statement was seen as a direct response to Trump’s earlier comments on social media, in which he demanded Iran agree to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“There will be nothing like it!!! Open the …Strait, you crazy …., or you’ll be living in Hell. JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” he added in a signed post.

Iranian media outlets reacted sharply to Trump’s remarks. Mizan, a publication linked to Iran’s judiciary, criticized the president’s language and dismissed his warning.

“Iran’s steadfastness and resistance have driven Trump to the brink of madness,” the outlet wrote.

Despite the rising tensions, direct negotiations between the United States and Iran have not yet begun, as regional intermediaries continue efforts to broker talks.

Officials in Oman held discussions Sunday aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though there has been no indication of progress toward a breakthrough agreement.