Iranian strikes expose lack of shelters for Palestinian citizens of Israel, residents say

Palestinian citizens of Israel are having to fend for themselves amid ongoing missile strikes by Iran, with the beleaguered community lacking access to shelters and safe rooms due to discriminatory building policies.

On Saturday, four Palestinian citizens of Israel were killed in the predominantly Arab town of Tamra, some 25km east of Haifa, after an Iranian missile unexpectedly struck their residential building.

Local residents told Middle East Eye that four Christian women from the same family were killed in the attack, including a mother and her two daughters, aged 13 and 20.

Residents said that when the Israeli government instructed Israelis to stay in protected areas as missile alerts sounded, Palestinians in Tamra decided to shelter in place - or they sought safety in groups at the homes of other family members - due to the absence of public shelters and safe rooms.

Read more: Iranian strikes expose lack of shelters for Palestinian citizens of Israel, residents say