Direct Hit in Haifa: 4 People Still Missing as Half-Ton Iranian Missile Levels a Five-Story Building

A residential neighborhood in Haifa has been devastated by a direct hit from a heavy Iranian ballistic missile, sparking a massive search and rescue operation that continues late into the night. The missile, estimated to weigh nearly half a ton, slammed into a five-story building, causing a partial collapse and igniting a significant fire. While several residents were successfully evacuated, emergency services are currently searching for four missing individuals, including an elderly couple, their 40-year-old son, and a caregiver. The scene remains extremely dangerous, as Israel’s Police Commissioner warned that the 450-kilogram warhead may not have fully detonated upon impact, raising the terrifying possibility that hundreds of kilograms of high explosives are still buried within the unstable ruins.

Rescue in the Ruins

The impact of the missile sent shockwaves through the city, with the blast felt for miles. Magen David Adom paramedics described a scene of absolute chaos, with heavy debris blocking the lower floors where residents were known to be hiding. One medic, Shevah Rottenstreich, recounted how first responders used their bare hands to move massive chunks of concrete to reach an 82-year-old man. The elderly survivor, who was found conscious but in serious condition, was rushed to Rambam Hospital for emergency surgery. His wife was also rescued with light to moderate injuries. Despite these small victories, the atmosphere at the site is one of heavy anxiety as the elite "Lehava" search and rescue unit uses specialized sensors and dogs to locate the remaining four missing persons.

The strike on Haifa was part of a broader Iranian and Hezbollah assault that targeted both the north and south of the country. Shortly after the missile hit Haifa, a drone launched from Lebanon struck a building near Acre, causing another fire. This escalation comes as IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir conducted tours of the border, vowing that the military would not retreat from southern Lebanon until the threat of such attacks is neutralized. For the families of those trapped in Haifa, the war has become a deeply personal struggle for survival. As building engineers and Home Front Command officers monitor the structural integrity of neighboring buildings, the city remains on high alert, with residents of the targeted block being moved to hotels while the bomb squad works to secure the unexploded ordnance.