During the recent 40 days of fighting between the US and Israel against Iran, 20 Israeli civilians and foreign nationals were killed in Israel as the result of Iranian ballistic missile attacks.

These are their stories.

February 28, Tel Aviv

The first casualty in Israel of the war came on February 28, the first day of the fighting, when caregiver Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera, a citizen of the Philippines, was killed when an Iranian ballistic missile struck an apartment block in Tel Aviv.

She was “injured while selflessly assisting her patient to safety,” according to the Israeli Embassy in Manila. The woman she was caring for was rescued alive from the rubble.

De Vera, 32, first began working in Israel in 2019 for an elderly woman who lived in Beersheba, named Doris Gurin, who died in 2021. Gurin’s two daughters told The Times of Israel how selfless and devoted she was as a caregiver.

“She had the most wonderful smile. We brought her to our mom’s apartment, and they both started hugging, and it was love at first sight,” said Barbara Wachspress.

Her sister, Janice Prawer, said De Vera “was part of our family, a ray of sunshine — so special, caring, and devoted.”

March 1, Beit Shemesh

In the single deadliest attack of this round of fighting, nine people were killed on March 1 when an Iranian ballistic missile impacted in Beit Shemesh, destroying a synagogue and directly hitting a bomb shelter.

Three of those killed were teenage siblings: Yaakov Biton, 16, Avigail Biton, 15, and Sara Biton, 13. They are survived by their parents, Tamar and Yitzhak, and their younger sister Rachel.

Tamar told The Associated Press in an interview that Yaakov, a natural-born leader and orator, studied at the yeshiva that her husband ran and was known for bringing friends closer to Jewish observance. Avigail was smart, sensitive and thoughtful, and Sarah was a whirlwind of activity, always helping around the house and the community.

“They sanctified God’s name with their life, and also after their death, they continue sanctifying his name,” Yitzhak told the news outlet.

A classmate of Yaakov’s, Gavriel Ravach, 16, was also killed by the missile impact.

His brother, Refael, told Army Radio that “Gavriel was the type of person who causes those around him to feel good, he was a good brother and a good friend. For those who knew him, he was an entire world.”

Refael added that “all the evil and the pain are the fuel to continue to spread light — as long as we continue doing good and giving of ourselves, we feel that Gavriel is still with us.”

Also killed in the strike were Ronit Elimelech, 44, and her mother, Sara Elimelech, 67. Ronit is survived by her three children, who were rescued from the site of the strike, as was Sara’s husband and Ronit’s father, Yaakov. The pair is also survived by Ronit’s four siblings.

Ronit was a volunteer with United Hatzalah and was working toward becoming a nurse, her friend said.

“Ronit was the embodiment of selflessness and professionalism,” said Eli Beer, the United Hatzalah president. “She answered the call to help others time and again, day and night. Even in her final moments, as she rushed with her family toward shelter, her medical kit and orange vest were........

© The Times of Israel