June 16–17, 2025 | Christians and Jews United for Israel (CJUI)
As Iranian ballistic missiles tore through Israeli cities on June 16, the headlines spoke of numbers—“four killed in Petah Tikva,” “three in Haifa,” “one in Bnei Brak.” But behind these numbers are real people, with names, families, and stories. It’s time we honor them — by remembering who they were.
🇮🇱 Petah Tikva: Safe Room, Shattered Lives
In Petah Tikva, Israel’s day began with a missile striking a residential tower. Four people lost their lives—even two inside a bombproof safe room designed to protect them. Reports say they were in their 70s—two women and one man—caught in the blast despite precautions (ynetnews.com). Though names weren’t released, we imagine grandparents—people who’d built families and communities—now gone in mere seconds. Two others outside that room were also killed by the shockwave .
🛢️ Haifa: Heroes at the Oil Refinery
Three workers at the Bazan oil refinery in Haifa died when a missile struck their workplace, igniting a fierce fire. One has been identified: Danny Avraham, age 59, from Kiryat Motzkin (israelnationalnews.com). Danny wasn’t near a combat zone—he was just going to work. Rescuers rushed in, only to find him and his co-workers had succumbed to smoke and flames hours later .
👴 Bnei Brak: A Father Remembered
In Bnei Brak, survivors pulled out the body of Avraham Cohen, a 75-year-old man found amid the debris of his damaged building (timesofisrael.com). He wasn’t sheltering in a safe room—but was he preparing to? His story echoes that of many elderly Israelis, quietly living their final chapters, now tragically cut short.
🏢 Bat Yam: A Family of Tragedy
Days earlier, on June 15, Iran’s missiles struck Bat Yam. Among the nine victims were:
| Name | Age | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Belina Ashkenazi | 94 | Elderly resident |
| Efrat Saranga | 44 | Mother |
| Meir Vaknin | 56 | Father of three |
| Michael Nahum | 61 | Father of four |
Belina, a matriarch; Efrat, a life in mid-career; Meir and Michael, devoted fathers—all killed in their apartment building (thetimes.co.uk, timesofisrael.com).
Also among the victims were three children—an 8-year-old girl, a 10-year-old boy, and an 18-year-old—some Ukrainian nationals, living here in Israel, killed simply by being home (timesofisrael.com).
In response, the IDF has launched airstrikes and sabotage within Iran—disrupting missile launches and heading off future barrages. But the human toll on both sides is escalating. Iran’s civilian death toll is estimated at over 224, while Israel mourns 24 civilian lives lost—and many more injured (theguardian.com).
Why Their Names Matter
Etti Cohen Engel, Yisrael Aloni, Yevgenia Blinder—named victims from earlier barrages—remind us that every life counted is a story, a family, a future abruptly ended (timesofisrael.com). Today’s victims—Danny, Avraham, Meir, Belina, Efrat—were fathers, mothers, grandparents, workers, neighbors. They lived ordinary lives until extraordinary violence shattered them.
What CJUI Urges
We must treat these tragedies as more than statistics:
- Name the victims — Speak their names, learn their stories.
- Stand with their families — Offer aid, both practical and emotional.
- Advocate for restraint and protection — Pressure leaders to protect civilians, urge safe evacuations, and uphold civilian safety even in conflict.
👉 These weren’t just targets. They were people: Danny Avraham on his way to work. Avraham Cohen, a grandfather in his own home. Belina, Efrat, Meir, Michael—members of families and communities that will feel their loss forever.
Their names matter. Their deaths matter. And so does our response.
Join CJUI—to remember them, support their families, and hold the world accountable for protecting the innocent.