It is an image that will haunt very many people across Israel. A corner of Beit Shemesh, flattened by an Iranian missile; a synagogue destroyed; people killed while they sought refuge in a bomb shelter.

When we arrived on the scene, we were told, repeatedly, that this was just a place where people lived, prayed and got taught. No military base, no hardware, not even a government office.

“Why would this be a target,” said one person. “There is no excuse.”