Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav issued a statement Wednesday morning regarding Michael Katz, who was struck in his home in a heinous attack aimed at civilians in the heart of Haifa, according to the mayor. Katz worked at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and dedicated his life to Israel's security, the mayor said.
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav issued a statement Wednesday morning (July 15) describing the attack that killed Michael Katz as 'a heinous attack aimed at civilians' in the heart of Haifa. The mayor confirmed that Katz, 82, was struck in his home during the February 2026 Iranian missile strike. Katz, a former employee of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, 'dedicated his life to Israel's security,' Yahav said.
The mayor's statement follows The Zioneer's report earlier today at 09:06 Jerusalem that Katz had died from wounds sustained in the February 2026 Iranian missile strike, three months after the attack. The Zioneer also reported at the same time that the mayor had eulogized Katz, noting his service to the country. The story first emerged from Israeli media reports identifying Katz as a former Rafael employee, and was subsequently confirmed by the mayor's office.
The attack was part of the broader Iranian missile strike on northern Israel during Operation Roaring Lion, a joint US-Israel operation. The Zioneer has previously reported on the impact of the operation on Haifa, including the mayor's response to the attack.
No further official details on the circumstances of the strike on Katz's home have been released beyond the mayor's statement. The death toll from the February 2026 strike on Haifa has not been updated.
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