Nineteen Israelis wounded as Iran missile hits Beersheba buildings

The local municipality said scans were taking place for further casualties within the wreckage caused by the missile, which said to have destroyed several homes in the area.

Magen David Adom responders dispatched to a site of a reported missile hit in Beersheba, March 2, 2026 (MAGEN DAVID ADOM)

BySHIR PERETS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

MARCH 2, 2026 07:14

Updated: MARCH 3, 2026 08:17

Nineteen Israelis were wounded after an Iranian ballistic missile made a direct hit in the Beersheba area of southern Israel on Monday afternoon. All of them were evacuated to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, with one in moderate condition and a further 18 lightly wounded.

The local municipality said scans were taking place for further casualties within the wreckage caused by the missile, which was said to have destroyed several homes in the area.

Sirens had sounded all across Israel earlier on Monday morning as the third day of Operation Roaring Lion began. No hits were reported in the initial wave of sirens, according to Magen David Adom.

A wave, later on Monday, targeted central Israel. As part of that wave, Israeli defense systems intercepted several missiles. Shrapnel from one of the missiles hit a roof in central Israel, the Fire and Rescue Authority confirmed.

No injuries were reported in this incident, but the roof sustained damage.

Shrapnel from an Iranian missile hits a roof in central Israel, March 2, 2026. — Shrapnel from an Iranian missile hits a roof in central Israel, March 2, 2026. (credit: ISRAEL FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY)

Earlier on Monday, Hezbollah launched several projectiles towards Israel, triggering an IDF response in southern Lebanon and Beirut.

Changes in Iran's missile patterns

The IDF has detected a change in the nature and pace of missile launches from Iran over the course of the last three days.

Anti-missile batteries fire interception missiles toward incoming ballistic missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tel Aviv during the war with Iran and ongoing missile fire toward Israel, March 1, 2026. — Anti-missile batteries fire interception missiles toward incoming ballistic missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tel Aviv during the war with Iran and ongoing missile fire toward Israel, March 1, 2026. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)

This change is reflected in larger and more coordinated barrages, between 9 and 30 missiles in a single barrage. Iran has moved from "dripping" to more coordinated and organized firing, resembling the strikes during the June 2025 Twelve-Day War, per the report.

Additionally, after Hezbollah's joining the campaign, the IDF is preparing for the possible joining of the Houthis to the campaign, alongside Hezbollah.