Inside Israel's frontline rescue crew… from pulling families out of rubble to dodging Iranian missiles
LINE OF FIRE Inside Israel's frontline rescue crew… from pulling families out of rubble to dodging Iranian missiles
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IT'S the dead of night when Captain Yehudit's phone suddenly starts ringing.
On her way home from the day job, the reservist's battalion commander warns her Iranian missiles are incoming.
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Rescue crews at the scene in Be'er Sheva
Credit: IDF
13
The team worked to help civilians whose buildings were hit by Iranian strikes
Credit: IDF
13
Captain Yehudit of Battalion 923 - part of the Home Front Command's Southern District
Credit: IDF
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A view of the destruction after an Iranian missile hit Soroka
Credit: Getty
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Firefighters work in a building of the Soroka hospital complex after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran
Credit: AP
Defended by arguably one of the most technologically magnificent missile shields in the world, incoming rockets are largely shot down by quick-thinking soldiers.
But no system can ever be perfect - and a very small percentage of barrages crash, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Within hours, the mum found herself pulling bodies out of the wreckage after Iranian missiles blitzed civilian homes in Be'er Sheva.
She was joined at the devastating scene by Major Neta and rescue forces of Battalion 923 - part of the Home Front Command's Southern District - who worked tirelessly for the next 13 hours to help panicked citizens.
It was the first of three blitzes on the southern Israel city during the so-called 12-day war, including one just hours before the ceasefire kicked in.
Furious Iran traded blows with Israel for days after Benjamin Netanyahu unleashed an audacious blitz on the regime's prized nuclear sites.
Homes and even a hospital were blasted in Be'er Sheva in return by Iran - leaving at least four killed and dozens injured.
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reservist Maj. Neta told The Sun: "We didn't suspect [Iran would hit civilian areas], that was a surprise for us.
"We only hit military targets and they hit a civilian hospital - it was awful.
"We are here to save lives, and they are just trying to hurt us."
West now on red alert for 'homegrown terror attacks' as Iran calls for Trump to be 'crucified'
In the early hours of July 19, Soroka hospital was among eight sites pounded by missiles in what was branded an "act of terrorism" by Israel's health minister Uriel Buso.
Terrified patients were evacuated as ceilings collapsed, windows smashed and walls caved in.
Maj. Neta said: "There was a lot of mess, a lot of innocent people that we needed to move because it was dangerous. We had a fire there and a lot of wreckage.
"Luckily nobody was killed there, but easily could have been.
"There were people we had to pull out the wreckage, but I'm happy it ended up with only the building damaged but no souls lost.
Shocking footage showed the ground shale and huge plumes of smoke filled the air as the busy hospital was struck.
"There was a lot of mess, a lot of innocent people that we needed to move because it was dangerous," Maj. Neta said.
"We had a fire there and a lot of wreckage.
"Luckily nobody was killed there, but easily could have been.
"There were people we had to pull out of the wreckage, but I'm happy it ended up with only the building damaged with no souls lost."
13
The Battalion 923 squad assess the damage in a building
Credit: IDF
13
They work for hours at every scene to check for casualties
Credit: IDF
13
Damage to a room at Soroka hospital
Credit: EPA
13
The moment a bulding burst into flames after the struck by an Iranian rocket
Credit: Jay Sverdlov
But when a salvo of missiles slammed into more civilian targets days later - just hours before the ceasefire came into force on July 24.
Corporal Eitan Zachs, 18, his mother, Michal Zachs, 50, his girlfriend Noa Boguslavsky, 18, from Arad, and Naomi Shaanan were killed.
At least 22 others were injured as the rockets hit the area at around 6am - including one that directly pummeled a residential building.
Cpt. Yehudit said: "Those first moments are a really big mess. People are in shock, there are many rescue teams in the zone.
"We had to take the bodies of killed civilians from the apartments that got hit.
"We had to break the bricks and the doors down to get them out. We also had a lot of civilians who got hurt.
"[After dealing with casualties] we then check every building four times to make sure there is nobody in there, even pets.
"From one building we rescued four cats, and returned them to their owners.
Iran exacts revenge on its own people
by Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital)
IRAN'S ruthless regime massacred defenceless inmates at a prison before blaming their deaths on shrapnel from airstrikes, insiders revealed.
It comes as sources warn the wounded regime is using the smokescreen of conflict to unleash a brutal execution spree and crack down on critics.
Cold-blooded regime dictators have also ordered the arrest of hundreds after accusing them of having links to arch-foe Israel.
Iran's intelligence services detained at least 26 people accusing them of collaborating with the enemy - and three prisoners were hanged for allegedly spying for Israel.
Iranian insiders told The Sun supreme leader Ali Khamenei is following a "disturbing pattern" of enforcing bloody clampdowns during periods of unrest.
It comes as the chorus of voices calling for the Ayatollah's callous regime to be toppled grows louder following a monumental effort from Israel and the US to blitz critical nuclear sites.
An Iranian insider said: "The prison massacre now stands as another stain on Tehran's human rights record - and a sobering reminder of what unchecked tyranny can unleash behind closed walls."
READ MORE HERE
"It's hard work. It takes a lot of time. In my zone, we took nearly 13 hours to make sure nobody was there until we could leave the scene."
Maj. Neta said their response after a missile strike can take hours - and squads will even do checks on apartments for casualties even if just a window is broken.
She added: "There was a lot of panic and confusion but they [civilians] were happy to see us.
"It is a relief for them to see soldiers coming to rescue them and help them.
"After that there's a lot of rage, because they need a lot of stuff from their house, and the building is not safe.
"We have engineers that check the buildings before we allow civilians inside."
Both Maj. Neta and Capt. Yehudit agreed they have to detach from their emotions to get their jobs done effectively.
Capt Yehudit said: "The last hit that we dealt with was just before the ceasefire.
13
The moment of an Iranian missile strike in Be'er Sheva
Credit: Jay Sverdlov
13
The team being briefed at the scene
Credit: IDF
13
Cpt. Yehudit with her team members
Credit: IDF
"So at the end of the day, everybody spoke about how it was the ceasefire and we could go home in a couple of days.
"It wasn't less hard dealing with the scene, knowing that just a few hours ago I pulled bodies from this wreckage...and now I'm going home, back to my day job, to my family and my daughter."
Maj. Neta added: "We have to detach when we are getting to a scene because we cannot do our job if we are not detached.
"But then after we speak to one another and we take everything out.
"It's very important to speak about it and not keep it inside."
Israel and Iran have been locked in a fragile ceasefire since June 24 - which Donald Trump has warned both sides not to break.
It comes after days of missile fire between the two nations before Trump pulled the trigger on a monumental US blitz of the rogue state.
Israel's rescue teams fear Iran could launch further strikes - but insist they are prepared.
Maj. Neta added: "We don't know if Iran will strike again. [If they do], we will come and do our job, as we did this time.
"But I hope very, very much they will not do it because we are only innocent people.
"It's very difficult for us to lose a life. They don't care about that."
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The Guardian
5 days ago
- The Guardian
Yasmin Khan's recipes for aubergine kuku and fruit and nut granola bars
I am obsessed with these sweet treats: soft, sticky, packed with dried fruit, nuts and seeds, and sweetened with banana and honey, these irresistible granola bars are perfect for when you're craving something sweet but still want something relatively healthy; they also work well as a light breakfast with a mug of hot tea or coffee. Kuku, meanwhile, is one of the bedrocks of Iranian cuisine, and is the Persian word for these dense, filled frittatas that are often served as a sandwich filling with sliced tomato and crunchy, salty pickles. These keep in an airtight container for about three days, and tend to go softer and chewier after 24 hours, so they are great for making ahead. I use a 16cm-square baking tin. Prep 5 min Cook 45 min Makes 6-8 bars 175g jumbo rolled oats 125g dried apricots, roughly chopped50g pistachios1 tbsp pumpkin seeds 1 tbsp sunflower seeds 1 tbsp sesame seeds 1 tbsp milled flax seeds 1 tsp ground cinnamon Salt 75g coconut oil, or butter65g soft dark brown sugar60g tahini3 tbsp honey, or maple syrup 1 ripe banana, peeled and mashed1 tsp vanilla extract Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan)/350F/gas 4, and line a small baking tin with greaseproof paper. Mix the oats, apricots, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, cinnamon and a quarter-teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan on a low heat, then stir in the brown sugar until that, too, melts. Take off the heat and stir in the tahini, honey, mashed banana and vanilla, then stir the warm ingredients into the dry ingredients until well combined. Press the oat mixture into the lined tin, then bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and leave to cool completely before slicing into bars. This uses aubergine, but courgette can easily be subbed in instead. It's packed with the classic Iranian ingredients of saffron, turmeric and barberries – small, sharp, dried berries that add a wonderful tang; source them in larger supermarkets, Middle Eastern grocers or online. Kukus can be eaten with a salad, as part of a picnic or meze, or stuffed into pockets of pitta for a snack. Prep 10 min Cook 50 min Serves 4 3 medium aubergines, peeled and cut into 3cm pieces Vegetable oil Salt 1 pinch saffron strands 1 pinch sugar 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped1 fat garlic clove, peeled and crushed6 large eggs½ tsp ground turmeric ½ tsp ground cumin 1 tbsp plain flour 1 tsp lemon juice 2 tbsp barberries 1 large handful coriander leaves, finely chopped Heat the oven to 200C (180C fan)/390F/gas 6. Spread the aubergines on a large baking sheet, drizzle with three tablespoons of oil, sprinkle with a teaspoon of salt and toss to coat. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, or until completely soft, then remove and leave to cool. Meanwhile, grind the saffron and sugar in a mortar, add a tablespoon of just-boiled water and leave to steep for five minutes. Put two tablespoons of oil in a medium oven-safe pan on a medium heat. Once it's hot, add the onion and cook, stirring, for 15 minutes, or until soft and brown. Add the garlic, cook for two minutes more, then tip into a bowl and leave to cool. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, saffron mixture, turmeric, cumin, flour, lemon juice and a half-teaspoon of salt, then fold in the barberries, coriander, roast aubergine pieces and fried onion. Pour two tablespoons of oil into the same pan on a medium heat. Tip in the kuku mixture, cover and cook for eight to 10 minutes, until just cooked through. You want it mostly set and puffing up a bit at the sides. Turn on the grill, then finish off the kuku under the grill until it is set and golden brown on top. Leave to cool to room temperature, then slice into thick triangles to serve. These recipes are edited extracts from Sabzi: Fresh Vegetarian Recipes for Every Day, by Yasmin Khan, published by Bloomsbury Publishing at £26. To order a copy for £23.40, go to
Scottish Sun
06-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Inside Israel's frontline rescue crew… from pulling families out of rubble to dodging Iranian missiles
Rescue crews in Be'er Sheva dealt with the fallout of Iranian strikes on civilian areas - including a hospital LINE OF FIRE Inside Israel's frontline rescue crew… from pulling families out of rubble to dodging Iranian missiles Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT'S the dead of night when Captain Yehudit's phone suddenly starts ringing. On her way home from the day job, the reservist's battalion commander warns her Iranian missiles are incoming. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 13 Rescue crews at the scene in Be'er Sheva Credit: IDF 13 The team worked to help civilians whose buildings were hit by Iranian strikes Credit: IDF 13 Captain Yehudit of Battalion 923 - part of the Home Front Command's Southern District Credit: IDF 13 A view of the destruction after an Iranian missile hit Soroka Credit: Getty 13 Firefighters work in a building of the Soroka hospital complex after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran Credit: AP Defended by arguably one of the most technologically magnificent missile shields in the world, incoming rockets are largely shot down by quick-thinking soldiers. But no system can ever be perfect - and a very small percentage of barrages crash, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Within hours, the mum found herself pulling bodies out of the wreckage after Iranian missiles blitzed civilian homes in Be'er Sheva. She was joined at the devastating scene by Major Neta and rescue forces of Battalion 923 - part of the Home Front Command's Southern District - who worked tirelessly for the next 13 hours to help panicked citizens. It was the first of three blitzes on the southern Israel city during the so-called 12-day war, including one just hours before the ceasefire kicked in. Furious Iran traded blows with Israel for days after Benjamin Netanyahu unleashed an audacious blitz on the regime's prized nuclear sites. Homes and even a hospital were blasted in Be'er Sheva in return by Iran - leaving at least four killed and dozens injured. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reservist Maj. Neta told The Sun: "We didn't suspect [Iran would hit civilian areas], that was a surprise for us. "We only hit military targets and they hit a civilian hospital - it was awful. "We are here to save lives, and they are just trying to hurt us." West now on red alert for 'homegrown terror attacks' as Iran calls for Trump to be 'crucified' In the early hours of July 19, Soroka hospital was among eight sites pounded by missiles in what was branded an "act of terrorism" by Israel's health minister Uriel Buso. Terrified patients were evacuated as ceilings collapsed, windows smashed and walls caved in. Maj. Neta said: "There was a lot of mess, a lot of innocent people that we needed to move because it was dangerous. We had a fire there and a lot of wreckage. "Luckily nobody was killed there, but easily could have been. "There were people we had to pull out the wreckage, but I'm happy it ended up with only the building damaged but no souls lost. Shocking footage showed the ground shale and huge plumes of smoke filled the air as the busy hospital was struck. "There was a lot of mess, a lot of innocent people that we needed to move because it was dangerous," Maj. Neta said. "We had a fire there and a lot of wreckage. "Luckily nobody was killed there, but easily could have been. "There were people we had to pull out of the wreckage, but I'm happy it ended up with only the building damaged with no souls lost." 13 The Battalion 923 squad assess the damage in a building Credit: IDF 13 They work for hours at every scene to check for casualties Credit: IDF 13 Damage to a room at Soroka hospital Credit: EPA 13 The moment a bulding burst into flames after the struck by an Iranian rocket Credit: Jay Sverdlov But when a salvo of missiles slammed into more civilian targets days later - just hours before the ceasefire came into force on July 24. Corporal Eitan Zachs, 18, his mother, Michal Zachs, 50, his girlfriend Noa Boguslavsky, 18, from Arad, and Naomi Shaanan were killed. At least 22 others were injured as the rockets hit the area at around 6am - including one that directly pummeled a residential building. Cpt. Yehudit said: "Those first moments are a really big mess. People are in shock, there are many rescue teams in the zone. "We had to take the bodies of killed civilians from the apartments that got hit. "We had to break the bricks and the doors down to get them out. We also had a lot of civilians who got hurt. "[After dealing with casualties] we then check every building four times to make sure there is nobody in there, even pets. "From one building we rescued four cats, and returned them to their owners. Iran exacts revenge on its own people by Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital) IRAN'S ruthless regime massacred defenceless inmates at a prison before blaming their deaths on shrapnel from airstrikes, insiders revealed. It comes as sources warn the wounded regime is using the smokescreen of conflict to unleash a brutal execution spree and crack down on critics. Cold-blooded regime dictators have also ordered the arrest of hundreds after accusing them of having links to arch-foe Israel. Iran's intelligence services detained at least 26 people accusing them of collaborating with the enemy - and three prisoners were hanged for allegedly spying for Israel. Iranian insiders told The Sun supreme leader Ali Khamenei is following a "disturbing pattern" of enforcing bloody clampdowns during periods of unrest. It comes as the chorus of voices calling for the Ayatollah's callous regime to be toppled grows louder following a monumental effort from Israel and the US to blitz critical nuclear sites. An Iranian insider said: "The prison massacre now stands as another stain on Tehran's human rights record - and a sobering reminder of what unchecked tyranny can unleash behind closed walls." READ MORE HERE "It's hard work. It takes a lot of time. In my zone, we took nearly 13 hours to make sure nobody was there until we could leave the scene." Maj. Neta said their response after a missile strike can take hours - and squads will even do checks on apartments for casualties even if just a window is broken. She added: "There was a lot of panic and confusion but they [civilians] were happy to see us. "It is a relief for them to see soldiers coming to rescue them and help them. "After that there's a lot of rage, because they need a lot of stuff from their house, and the building is not safe. "We have engineers that check the buildings before we allow civilians inside." Both Maj. Neta and Capt. Yehudit agreed they have to detach from their emotions to get their jobs done effectively. Capt Yehudit said: "The last hit that we dealt with was just before the ceasefire. 13 The moment of an Iranian missile strike in Be'er Sheva Credit: Jay Sverdlov 13 The team being briefed at the scene Credit: IDF 13 Cpt. Yehudit with her team members Credit: IDF "So at the end of the day, everybody spoke about how it was the ceasefire and we could go home in a couple of days. "It wasn't less hard dealing with the scene, knowing that just a few hours ago I pulled bodies from this now I'm going home, back to my day job, to my family and my daughter." Maj. Neta added: "We have to detach when we are getting to a scene because we cannot do our job if we are not detached. "But then after we speak to one another and we take everything out. "It's very important to speak about it and not keep it inside." Israel and Iran have been locked in a fragile ceasefire since June 24 - which Donald Trump has warned both sides not to break. It comes after days of missile fire between the two nations before Trump pulled the trigger on a monumental US blitz of the rogue state. Israel's rescue teams fear Iran could launch further strikes - but insist they are prepared. Maj. Neta added: "We don't know if Iran will strike again. [If they do], we will come and do our job, as we did this time. "But I hope very, very much they will not do it because we are only innocent people. "It's very difficult for us to lose a life. They don't care about that."
The Guardian
01-07-2025
- The Guardian
‘Beyond anything imaginable': dozens killed at busy Gaza seafront cafe
Early afternoon was a busy time in the al-Baqa cafe, on the waterfront in Gaza City. Under the wooden slatted roof, seated at plastic chairs and tables, were dozens of Palestinians seeking respite from the relentless 20-month war that has devastated much of the bustling, vibrant town. On one side was the Mediterranean, blue and calm to the horizon. On the other, battered apartment blocks, wrecked hotels and the close-packed tents of displaced families. Founded almost 40 years ago, the family-run al-Baqa was for many in Gaza City a reminder of better, more peaceful times. It had long been a place to escape the claustrophobic strictures of life in the crowded territory, to talk freely, laugh and dream. Among those sipping coffee, tea and soft drinks in the cafe was a young artist – Amna al-Salmi – and her friend Ismail Abu Hatab, a 32-year-old photographer and film-maker. Others included another journalist and at least one family with young children, including a four-year-old child, and a mother and her two daughters. Then, at about 3pm, the peaceful scene at the al-Baqa cafe was transformed. Witnesses described a huge roaring explosion, flames, a plume of ash-grey smoke rising fast into the air. No one needed to ask what had happened. In recent days, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has escalated its offensive across all of Gaza but focused much of its firepower on the territory's north, where Hamas remain relatively entrenched despite multiple military assaults. Tanks have advanced into neighbourhoods to the east of Gaza City, so-called 'evacuation orders' have forced thousands from makeshift shelters and airstrikes have killed dozens. When the dust and smoke cleared at the al-Baqa cafe, scenes of carnage were revealed. 'I stepped outside briefly to get something to eat, and when I returned – just as I was close – a missile struck,' said Abu al-Nour, 60. 'Shrapnel flew everywhere, and the place filled with smoke and the smell of cordite. I couldn't see anything. I ran toward the cafe and found it destroyed. I went inside and saw bodies lying on the ground. All the cafe workers were killed.' Adam, 21, was working nearby, renting out chairs and tables on the small promenade. 'When I reached the site, the scenes were beyond anything imaginable. I knew all the workers at the place. It was full of customers of all ages,' he told the Guardian. Other witnesses described seeing a dead child, an elderly man with both legs severed and many others with serious injuries. All said they had been surprised by the extent of the damage, which wrecked the entire cafe, warping concrete columns and scattering debris. A deck of cards and a giant stuffed toy animal could be seen amid the wreckage. Even hours later, the air 'smelled of blood', one witness said. Many expressed surprise that the cafe could be targeted at all. A 55-year-old sports teacher who lives nearby described the cafe as the 'nicest in Gaza' and a place that 'should have been the safest of anywhere' in the Palestinian territory. An IDF spokesperson said the attack was under review, adding that the Israeli military had 'struck several Hamas terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip' and that 'prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians using aerial surveillance'. In a separate statement on Tuesday, the IDF said Israel's air force had attacked more than 140 'terror targets' in Gaza over the previous day, including 'terrorists, anti-tank missile launch posts, weapons storage facilities and other terrorist infrastructure'. Medical and other officials said that between 24 and 36 Palestinians were killed in the attack on the cafe, with dozens more injured. Among the dead was 35-year-old Nour al-Huda al-Husari, who had gone with her two daughters 'to get some fresh air and try to lift their spirits'. 'When I heard there had been a strike, I tried to call … I kept calling, but there was no answer,' said Mohammed al-Husari, her husband. 'Then about an hour and a half after the strike I heard she had been killed. My first thought was: what happened to my daughters? I felt like I was dreaming … I couldn't believe it.' The couple's eight-year-old had been hurled many metres by the blast but was found standing stunned and alone, completely unharmed. But her older sister, aged 12, was badly hurt, suffering a skull fracture and internal bleeding, and could die. 'The hospital was completely full of the wounded and the dead – because the cafe was crowded with women, children and the young. It was not a suspicious or military place,' Husari said. 'If it had been, my wife would never have gone … she was always careful not to go anywhere risky or questionable, out of fear that something might happen nearby. The truth is there is no safe place in Gaza.' Fatalities included Salmi, the artist, who was involved in initiatives to bring art by Palestinians in Gaza to a wider international audience and to support the most needy among the displaced in the territory. Abu Hateb was also killed. The film-maker was badly injured early in the war and in an interview last year described how his work 'haunted' him, bringing insomnia and depression. 'I have seen many martyrs, their meals still in front of them, unable to finish eating because they were killed. I think about that moment they must have felt just before death,' he said. In addition to casualties from airstrikes, hundreds have died in recent weeks while seeking aid. Those with savings or salaries can buy enough to survive on in local markets and even pay for drinks or a snack at venues where they can also use reliable wifi. The vast majority of the 2.3 million population suffer acutely, with growing malnutrition and a continuing threat of famine. The war in Gaza was triggered by a surprise attack launched by Hamas militants into Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250, of whom 50 are still held by the militant Islamist organisation. The ensuing Israeli offensive has so far killed 56,500, mostly civilians, and reduced much of the Palestinian territory to ruins.
