She Survived the Blast—But Not the War: 30th Victim of Iran’s Missiles Dies Weeks After Attack

Nearly a month after Iran's heavy missile barrage struck the Israeli city of Rehovot, the 30th casualty of the war has been confirmed. Lea Mosquera, a 49-year-old caregiver from the Philippines, died from critical injuries sustained when a ballistic missile hit her apartment on June 15 during Operation With the Lion.

The Embassy of the Philippines in Israel released a statement on Sunday announcing Mosquera’s passing. She had been hospitalized at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, where doctors fought to save her life.

Mosquera had lived and worked in Israel for several years as a caregiver. On the night of the attack, her apartment building was directly hit. Her sister, also a caregiver, remained by her side throughout the long hospitalization.

The June 15 missile barrage marked one of the war's most severe attacks on the Israeli home front. Two direct hits were recorded in Rehovot: one at the Weizmann Institute of Science campus, which caused structural damage but no injuries, and another in a residential neighborhood that injured dozens. Among them were two individuals in critical condition.

According to ZAKA Unit 360, which assisted at the scene: "We received official notification from the Philippine Embassy confirming the death of Lea Mosquera, z"l. She suffered fatal injuries when a missile struck her home in Rehovot. ZAKA volunteers worked alongside emergency and security forces to assist the injured and evacuate trapped individuals, all under continued threat from additional missiles."

Her death brings the total number of Israeli casualties in the ongoing war with Iran to 30. Her story underscores the vulnerability of foreign workers who are an integral part of Israeli society, and the indiscriminate nature of missile warfare on civilian populations.