Chabad Shliach in Kiryat Shmona Survives Hezbollah Rocket Barrage, Vehicle Damaged by Shrapnel

A barrage of rockets fired Monday by the Hezbollah terror organization toward the northern city of Kiryat Shmona caused injuries and significant damage across the city.

According to emergency response officials, a direct strike near a parked bus left three people injured. A 50-year-old man, the bus driver, sustained serious wounds and was airlifted to Ziv Medical Center. An 80-year-old individual suffered light injuries from facial shrapnel, while a third person was treated for shock.

Among those caught in the blast was Rabbi Yigal Zippori, a Chabad Shliach serving the local community. His vehicle, parked near the scene, was struck by shrapnel. Miraculously, Rabbi Zippori himself escaped with relatively minor injuries.

Speaking to Channel 14, Rabbi Zippori recounted the moments leading up to the strike.

“We had just left the soup kitchen and were heading to distribute food packages to those in need when the siren sounded,” he said. “I initially stopped the car near the intersection—right where the shrapnel ultimately fell. A bus driver behind me honked, and I continued driving to clear the way. In hindsight, that decision saved my life.”

Tragically, the same bus driver who signaled him forward was critically injured.

Rabbi Zippori described the moments after the impact as chaotic. “I exited the vehicle and began running. My memory from those seconds is unclear—I don’t know if the force of the blast pushed me forward or if someone nearby pulled me into a protected area.”

He added that he continues to experience ringing in his ears and sustained an injury to his back or shoulder.

Reflecting on the incident, Rabbi Zippori expressed gratitude for what he described as open miracles.

“This is truly a miracle,” he said. “Kiryat Shmona is a city accustomed to miracles. We have the Rebbe’s blessing for this place. In 1992, the Rebbe wrote that this city is ‘a city and a mother in Israel, upon which the eyes of Hashem are constantly open… the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.’”