Defense Minister Israel Katz celebrates the demolition of buildings damaged in an Iranian missile attack last month in Holon, provoking the ire of affected residents.

The June 19 strike wounded over 20 people, including one who was seriously hurt, according to the Magen David Adom ambulance service.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the demolition, Katz hails the 12-day war against Iran as “the grandest operation in Israeli history,” and says “we plan to surprise the ayatollah regime in Iran in the future as well.”

Katz says the government knew the war would be difficult for Israel’s residents.

“It was clear to us that the resilience of the Israeli home front is an important factor,” he says. “We prepared well for this damage, and still — the images of ruined buildings and displaced families are difficult and complex.”

“You are the real heroes,” he tells the residents, “and we are committed to doing everything to let you return to life quickly. Today we demolish so we can build and be built — it’s part of the victory.”

Also at the ceremony, Holon Mayor Shai Kenan says a new road called Rising Lion Way, named for Israel’s operation against Iran’s nuclear program, would be paved in the neighborhood.

Yulia, a tenant of one of the impacted buildings, tells Army Radio that the celebratory nature of the ceremony was in poor taste.

“Maybe I should wear a wedding dress,” she says sarcastically. She adds that when she saw the notice for the ceremony — adorned with the slogan Am Yisrael Chai (The nation of Israel lives) — “it took me a day to process that it’s real. It’s incredibly disgusting. The municipality is detached from reality.”

Noam She’altiel, another resident whose home was destroyed, tells the Ynet news site: “I did not imagine that this would be how we’d say goodbye to our first home. There is champagne and food [at the ceremony] and it’s gross.”

In a statement, the Holon municipality tells Ynet that the event “is all about home, community empowerment and new beginnings,” and is meant to honor the affected residents and first responders.

“The municipality will not cooperate with attempts to create a divisive discourse at the expense of the ceremony, which is being held in a similar fashion to events in other cities,” it says in a statement.

Protesters demanding a hostage deal rallied outside the ceremony, Hebrew media reports.

Iran launched over 500 ballistic missiles at Israel during the war last month. The strikes killed 29 people and wounded over 3,000 in Israel. In all, there were 36 missile impacts and one drone strike in populated areas, causing damage to 2,305 homes in 240 buildings, along with two universities and a hospital, and leaving over 13,000 Israelis displaced.

בחולון הרסו הבוקר מבני מגורים שניזוקו קשות מפגיעת טיל איראני, והעירייה ערכה טקס לציון האירוע – שלא עבר חלק. לפני הריסת הבתים שוטרים פינו ממתחם הטקס דייר שביתו נפגע, לאחר שהפריע לראש העיר שי קינן בנאומו. בנוסף, תושבים קראו לשר הביטחון ישראל כ”ץ שנכח באירוע לפעול לשחרור 50 החטופים… pic.twitter.com/XT6Q9N57OP — כלכליסט | Calcalist (@calcalist) July 28, 2025