Moment two Israeli teenagers miss shrapnel from downed Hamas rocket by seconds – leaving them ‘lucky to be alive’
This is the astonishing moment two teenage boys face death threats after shrapnel from a downed Hamas rocket narrowly avoided them.
The boys, who have not yet been identified, got the shock of their lives after the rocket's metal casing hit a tree as they walked just inches away.
In the clip, which was shot in Tel Aviv, the boys are then seen jumping back before looking skyward and walking away.
Officials said they were “lucky she was alive” and this came amid reports that other shrapnel had been found in the Israeli capital following a barrage of rockets on Tuesday afternoon.
The rocket was fired 90 kilometers away from Gaza and took just a few minutes to reach the city. Alarms were raised, but it is unclear why the boys chose to go outside.
This is the astonishing moment two teenage boys cheated death after shrapnel from a downed Hamas rocket narrowly avoided them
The metal casing of a rocket (pictured) hit a tree as the two boys walked just inches away
Footage shows the two boys walking along the sidewalk before cowering as Hamas shrapnel lands next to them
More than 11,500 rockets – mostly Russian or Iranian-made – have been launched from Gaza since the October 7 attacks, with the vast majority being neutralized by the Iron Dome protection system.
The $2 billion system – partly funded by the US – is designed to intercept and destroy short-range missiles and artillery shells fired up to 90km away and has been in use since 2011.
Each interception is said to generate $150,000 and ten batteries have been deployed across the country, with plans to include fifteen more. The majority are in the south, close to Gaza, or in the north, near Lebanon.
Separate images show smoke rising after the crashed rocket landed near the tree
A school in Tel Aviv was damaged by shrapnel from the same explosion, leaving a hole visible in the building
The missiles are only fired when the missiles are expected to reach a built-up area and if a threat is detected, a launcher will fire 20 interceptor missiles that detonate near the projectile.
Israel claims it is 90 percent effective, but warns that even after the rocket is destroyed, people should wait at least ten minutes before leaving the shelter to avoid being hit by debris.
In addition to Tel Aviv – which has been under constant fire after a short lull – there were also rocket attacks on Sderot, close to Gaza.
A school in Tel Aviv was also damaged by shrapnel from the same blast and three people were taken to hospital in Sderot in shock after a building near them was hit.