A Hezbollah rocket struck the Avos Ubanim shul near Haifa’s Carmel Center as well as another structure this evening. Yosef Tessler, a Viznitzer chassid residing in Haifa, shared his account with Arutz Sheva – Israel National News, emphasizing that the city had not experienced such a powerful explosion since the outbreak of the conflict.
“There was an alarm. I thought it was another one of the many rocket attacks to which we are unfortunately accustomed. I ran to the safe area, and after a few seconds, four horrific explosions shook the area,” Tesler recounted.
“For a moment, we thought the rocket had struck the building next to me. Everything shook. I rushed outside in panic, and I heard sirens of rescue forces racing towards Carmel. Later we heard that the rockets had struck the ancient Avot Ubanim shul.
“It was a huge miracle. Two hours earlier, worshippers had the traditional Shabbat afternoon meal there. The shul was completely destroyed. I shudder to imagine what could have happened if there were people there. May God protect and save us.”
An update from the IDF confirmed that approximately ten rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel. “Approximately ten projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Some of the projectiles were intercepted and fallen projectiles were identified,” an IDF representative stated.
Magen David Adom paramedics transported five individuals who sustained minor injuries while running to their safe areas and also treated a 16-year-old girl suffering from shock, transferring her to Rambam Hospital in Haifa.
Fire and rescue services reported that a car caught fire at one of the impacted locations, and several nearby buildings sustained damage. “So far, there are no known trapped or injured individuals, but the firefighters on-site, together with medical and Israel Police authorities, continue to search to rule out such injuries. We will continue to report as we know more details,” their statement read.
{Matzav.com Israel}