Trump signals ‘possible’ US involvement in Iran conflict – DW – 06/16/2025

After another night of Iranian missile strikes, residents of Bat Yam, a town south of Tel Aviv, gathered at the scene of an attack.

While most of the missiles were intercepted, a few evaded Israel’s defense shield and hit between two buildings, according to media reports.

The attack left a trail of destruction across the neighborhood and one side of a residential tower was blown off. Six people, including two children, died in the attack. 

When DW visited the area, rescue services were still trying to locate three more people.

“Everything here blew up. The building collapsed from within,” Tzachi Bublil told DW as he cleared glass shards from the shattered front window of a shop. “That’s not something that will deter us. On the contrary, we are stronger now.”

While many were shocked by the extent of the destruction, they were also defiant, reflecting a general mood in the country. “You don’t stop when you’re on the rise. There’s no reason to stop. It’s either us or them. It had better be us,” said Bublil, adding that this was “existential” for him and his country.

Residents asked to evacuate

Nearby, a woman was packing her family’s belongings. The emergency services had said that their building was no longer safe to stay in. The front of the ground-floor apartment had been blown out, leaving shattered glass and torn metal scattered across the ground. 

“We went into our basement when they told us to take shelter, and then all this happened. I don’t know what to say,” Orianis Olyberos-Ortiz told DW. 

She said that most of the flats and buildings in the neighborhood were old, and not everyone had access to a safe room or shelter. 

“I don’t know how long this will last, but I am worried and don’t know what to do,” she said.

Yoram Cohen, who had come to visit his daughter-in-law, said that although he was shaken by the sight of the damage, he supported the government’s decision to attack Iran. 

“You know what they always said: To destroy Israel. So, we strike them first, preemptively. We should not wait until they have a nuclear weapon.”

This sentiment was echoed by Tzachi Bubli, who said he wanted Israel to continue the operation, even if it resulted in strong retaliation from Iran and meant difficult days ahead. 

“We want to see as many mushroom clouds as possible, as much fire and light as possible. We want to see all of Tehran burning,” he told DW.