A powerful explosion rocked the Israeli city of Bet Shemesh, west of Jerusalem, on the evening of May 16, 2026. Eyewitnesses reported a huge glow visible tens of kilometers away, and noted that emergency services were kept away from the scene for a long time.

According to the official Israeli government version, it was a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian missile that fell in the area. However, local residents write on social media that they received no warning of the planned detonation, sparking panic and questions about the safety of the event.

This is not the first incident in Bet Shemesh involving Iranian missile attacks. During previous escalations of the conflict, particularly in February and March 2026, the city suffered repeated missile strikes and falling debris. The most tragic incident occurred on March 1, 2026, when an Iranian ballistic missile directly hit a residential area of ​​Bet Shemesh, completely destroying a synagogue and damaging a bomb shelter. Nine people were killed, over 50 were injured, and rescue efforts lasted several hours.

In that incident, the Arrow missile defense system reportedly failed to intercept the target, resulting in a direct hit. Large fragments of intercepted missiles also fell near Bet Shemesh and Ben Gurion Airport. The current controlled detonation incident is likely related to the disposal of another such unexploded fragment, which posed a danger to the population.