Iranian missile strikes kill foreign worker, three Palestinian women
A wave of Iranian missile fire overnight Wednesday left a foreign worker dead in central Israel and at least three Palestinian women killed in southern Judea, according to medical and local reports.
Emergency responders from Magen David Adom confirmed that a man in his 30s was killed instantly when a missile struck a moshav in central Israel shortly after midnight.
Earlier that night, shrapnel from an Iranian missile hit a metal structure being used as a women’s salon in the village of Beit Awwa, near Hebron. Palestinian sources reported that three women were killed and 13 others were injured, including two in critical condition.
Israeli officials accused Iran of deliberately targeting civilian areas with weapons designed to maximize widespread harm. In a public statement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the regime is deploying cluster-style munitions aimed at both Jewish and Arab populations.
Additional impacts were reported across the region. A missile struck a home in the Israeli community of Neta, causing significant damage but no injuries. In the Tel Aviv area, another residential building sustained heavy structural damage.
According to the IDF Home Front Command, Iran launched at least five separate barrages between late Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning. Sirens forced millions of Israelis into shelters throughout the night across the country.
Alerts continued into Thursday, with warning systems activated in central Israel, Jerusalem, and northern regions. No further casualties were reported during the daytime attacks.
Since the war began on Feb. 28, Iranian missile strikes have killed at least 21 civilians in Israel, all noncombatants.
Just one night earlier, a direct hit in Ramat Gan killed an elderly couple, Yaron and Ilana Moshe, both in their 70s, when a munition struck their home.
The Israeli Health Ministry reported that nearly 4,000 people have been injured since the start of the conflict. Dozens remain hospitalized, including several in serious condition.
Palestinian Authority escalates attacks on U.S. ambassador Mike Huckabee
The Palestinian Authority has intensified its public campaign against U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, with senior officials and state-backed media increasingly targeting his views on Jewish ties to the Land of Israel.
The latest criticism came from Bethlehem Governor Muhammad Taha Abu Alia, who hosted a seminar focused on Huckabee’s statements regarding Jewish historical and religious claims to the land. The event, titled “From Religious Text to Diplomacy,” framed those views as a central issue in ongoing political tensions.
During the gathering, Abu Alia argued that challenging what he called the “Zionist narrative” is a key responsibility for Palestinian intellectual and political leadership.
The event was supported by an anti-Israel academic organization affiliated with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which promotes economic pressure against Israel.
Criticism of Huckabee has also spread through Palestinian media channels. On a morning television program, political analyst Fayez Abbas described Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir as “fascists,” but claimed Huckabee holds even more extreme views.
In a separate statement, Mahmoud al-Habbash, an adviser to Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, sharply condemned Huckabee’s remarks. Writing on social media, he argued that the ambassador’s statements reflect what he described as flawed historical and moral reasoning, and warned that such perspectives hinder prospects for regional stability.
The backlash follows a high-profile interview Huckabee gave to American commentator Tucker Carlson in February. During the discussion, Huckabee affirmed his personal belief—based on biblical tradition—that the Land of Israel was promised to the Jewish people.
He later clarified that his remarks reflected his religious views and not official U.S. policy.
IDF eliminates over 20 terrorists in southern Lebanon operations
Israeli forces killed more than 20 Hezbollah operatives and dismantled key terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon during a series of operations over a 24-hour period, the Israel Defense Forces announced.
In one encounter, militants attempted to launch an anti-tank missile at Israeli troops. Soldiers responded immediately, killing five of the attackers before the launch could be carried out.
The Israeli Air Force conducted additional strikes, eliminating at least two more operatives during the same period.
Ground forces also uncovered and seized a cache of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank missiles, ammunition, and other combat gear.
Military officials emphasized that operations will continue as long as threats persist along Israel’s northern border. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, entered the conflict in support of Tehran and has continued launching attacks into Israeli territory.
As part of the broader campaign, Israeli forces also destroyed two bridges over the Litani River. Defense officials said the crossings had been used to move weapons and fighters toward southern positions.
According to Israeli assessments, Hezbollah has relied on these routes to transport large quantities of rockets and launch systems intended for attacks against Israeli communities.
The IDF also confirmed the targeted killing of Hassan Ali Marwan in Beirut, a senior commander affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force. He was responsible for coordinating operations between Iranian units and Hezbollah, including missile and drone attacks on Israel.
Footage released by the military showed both aerial and ground operations as part of the ongoing campaign, known as Operation Roaring Lion.
Israeli officials reiterated that their objective remains clear: remove the threat posed by Hezbollah and restore security to northern Israel.
