At least nine people have been killed and 27 others injured following a missile strike on the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, as tensions escalate sharply across the Middle East amid a widening conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Emergency services in Israel confirmed that the attack struck a residential area in Beit Shemesh, west of Jerusalem, with a synagogue reportedly hit while civilians were sheltering inside during air raid sirens.
In a statement posted on X, the Israel Defense Forces accused Iran of directly firing missiles at the city, describing the attack as one that “killed innocent civilians.” Officials said the synagogue was completely destroyed.
Rescue teams were deployed to the scene, where piles of broken concrete, twisted metal and a large impact crater marked the strike location. Vehicles parked nearby were reduced to wreckage. Police said 11 people remain missing as search and recovery operations continue.
The strike is being described as the deadliest attack in Israel since the current phase of the war began. Missile attacks continued into Sunday evening, with most intercepted by Israel’s air defence systems. However, one projectile reportedly landed on a street in the Jerusalem area, injuring at least three people.
The regional escalation follows a large-scale Iranian response to what Tehran describes as an ongoing US-Israel air offensive launched on Saturday. Iran has reportedly deployed ballistic missiles and drones targeting US allies and military assets across the Gulf.
In the United Arab Emirates, authorities confirmed that a drone targeting Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi was intercepted. However, falling debris killed one person and injured seven others. An additional four staff members were injured in what officials described as an “incident” at Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic.
Video footage verified by international media showed a major fire at Fairmont, The Palm on the Palm Jumeirah after a large explosion on Saturday afternoon. Authorities also confirmed that debris from an intercepted drone caused a minor fire on the outer facade of the Burj Al Arab.
In addition, debris from an aerial interception sparked a fire at a berth in the Jebel Ali deep seaport, one of the world’s busiest maritime hubs.
In Bahrain, a drone strike targeting the base of the United States Navy 5th Fleet caused a significant fire near a British naval facility adjoining the American installation. Officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties, though four people were later confirmed wounded in Iranian attacks in the country. Bahrain’s interior ministry also reported damage to its airport following a drone incident.
Kuwait’s health ministry confirmed one fatality and 32 injuries, all foreigners, resulting from strikes since Saturday. Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait each reported intercepting missiles fired toward their territories, although falling debris caused damage in several locations.
The widening conflict has triggered severe disruption to global air travel, with thousands of flights grounded to and from the region — marking one of the most serious aviation interruptions since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Residents across affected cities described scenes of chaos but also resilience. In Dubai, witnesses reported seeing multiple interception launches overhead as air defence systems engaged incoming projectiles.
With attacks ongoing and multiple countries on high alert, the situation remains volatile, raising fears of a broader regional war with significant humanitarian, economic and geopolitical consequences.