(haipo) This morning (Wednesday, 7/15/26) we were informed of the death of the late Michael Katz, 82, a resident of the city who was critically injured in the direct hit of an Iranian ballistic missile on his residential building on 57 Shimshon Street in Haifa on April 5, 2026, during the "Roar of the Lion" war. Katz was rescued from the rubble and fought for his life for over three months, until he died of his wounds this morning. With his death, the number of victims of the attack on Shimshon Street rises to five.
The funeral is expected to take place tomorrow, Thursday, 7/16/26, at 16:00 PM at the Sde Yehoshua Cemetery in Haifa, Shaar Brosh.
The most severe blow Haifa suffered in the war
The missile strike at 57 Shimshon Street was the most severe blow Haifa suffered during the war. In that event, four members of the late Gershovitz family, Michael Katz's neighbors in the building, were killed. Katz himself was rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital, where he fought for his life for over three months, until he died of his wounds this morning. With his passing, the number of victims of that strike now stands at five. Michael Katz celebrated his 82nd birthday in May, worked for decades at Rafael, contributed to the security of the country, and won the Rafael Prize. He is survived by his wife Nina, his sons Itamar and Yoav, and six grandchildren.
His wife Nina: "From today on, I will live my new life as half a human being"
Michael's wife, Nina, She paid tribute to him, saying: "On that terrible Sunday, my life was shattered by an Iranian missile strike. I was given the gift of a new life, and for that I am grateful to the Creator of the universe. On the other hand, from this day forward, I will live my new life as half a human being after 55 years of marriage. It will not be easy, and I will forever miss the perfection that my beloved Michael gave to our life together, to our children and to our grandchildren. Michael was a great person to be around, a person with a zest for life who loved life and knew how to enjoy it. Everyone who met him fell in love with him immediately. He will be missed not only by us, but also by all his acquaintances."
Mayor Yahav: "The city of Haifa bows its head"
Mayor of Haifa, Yona Yahav, paid tribute to Michael Katz and said: "With a broken heart I received the news of Michael Katz's death from an Iranian missile strike. Michael dedicated his life to the security of the State of Israel in his work at Rafael, and was hit in his home in a criminal attack targeting civilians in the heart of Haifa. For three months we accompanied his fight for his life with hope, and this morning we said goodbye to him with great pain. The city of Haifa bows its head and hugs Nina, Itamar and Yoav and the grandchildren. We will continue to accompany the Katz family as long as necessary." The funeral will be held tomorrow (Thursday, 7/16/26) in Haifa.
