Search and rescue operations continued late Sunday evening in Haifa after an Iranian missile directly struck a residential building, leaving four individuals unaccounted for and injuring at least four others, authorities reported as the Israel-Iran conflict entered its sixth week.
According to police statements, four people remained missing following the attack, while emergency responders confirmed the wounded included an 82-year-old man and a 10-month-old infant.
The attack occurred during an evening wave of missile strikes targeting both northern and southern regions of Israel. Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that a structure in the Haifa area sustained a direct missile impact after military systems detected incoming projectiles from Iran and engaged air defense systems. The Home Front Command subsequently announced that civilians could exit protective shelters, though search and rescue operations continued at multiple strike locations.
Emergency personnel reported that the Haifa structure suffered partial collapse, making rescue efforts more challenging. Initial reports from Israel’s fire and rescue services indicated three people were missing, but police updates later in the evening confirmed four individuals were unaccounted for, indicating casualty figures were still being assessed as crews worked through the debris. Those injured sustained wounds from the blast and flying debris.
Haifa, which serves as Israel’s primary northern urban center and houses significant residential areas, port operations, and critical energy facilities, has faced repeated attacks throughout the ongoing conflict. Recently, a missile struck a fuel tanker and industrial facility at Israel’s Oil Refineries in the city, though officials reported no injuries or public safety threats from that earlier incident. Sunday’s direct strike on residential housing demonstrated once again that civilian areas remain vulnerable despite Israel’s multi-layered missile defense systems being operational.
