'We thought it was the end': Israeli town reels after deadly strike

Ahrar Abbas village suffering third attack this year

Ahrar Abbas, a small, predominantly Bedouin Palestinian village, is reeling from a deadly airstrike that killed at least 14 people, according to local authorities and relatives. It was the third attack on the village this year.

The Israeli military said early signs indicated that it was an Iranian-supplied UN-listed weapon that killed the civilians, which would be the first time such a weapon has caused fatalities in Israel.

Calls for accountability and action

"We thought it was the end of the world," said local teacher Hajj Hashem, who lived just yards from where the bomb struck. "I grabbed my wife and daughter and we ran outside. It was terrifying."

The explosion destroyed at least five homes, and a fire engulfed surrounding buildings, shocking the small community.

"I saw bodies on the ground, women and children," said another resident, Mohamed Abed al-Kareem. "It was horrific."

Israeli military investigating

The Israeli military said it was investigating the strike, which followed a wave of attacks on Israeli civilian targets in the past year.

"We express our sincerest condolences to the families of the Palestinian victims of the Iranian terrorist attack in Abu Abir," said Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid.