Missile Attacks on Southern Israel Leave Over 100 Injured

Iranian missile strikes hit two towns in southern Israel on Saturday, resulting in more than 100 injuries after Israeli air defense systems failed to intercept the missiles, according to medical sources.

Two missiles directly struck, causing significant damage and leaving a crater in the ground.

Emergency responders from Magen David Adom reported that 84 individuals were injured, with 10 in serious condition, in the town of Arad. This came just hours after 33 injuries were reported in Dimona, a nearby town.

Iranian state television described the missile attack on Dimona—home to a nuclear facility—as a “reaction” to a previous assault on Iran’s nuclear site in Natanz.

Footage from Arad depicted rescue teams sifting through debris to find those injured inside the damaged building.

Fire trucks and various emergency services were visible at the scene.

The Israeli military announced it would look into the failure of its interception systems.

“Our air defense systems were activated but failed to stop the missile. We will assess this incident and learn from it,” Brigadier General Effie Deflin shared on social media.

Local fire authorities indicated “significant damage” in Arad, affecting three buildings, one of which caught fire.

Medic Riyadh Abu Ajaj commented on the “massive destruction” at the site, recalling the chaos that unfolded during the attack.

Rescue operations quickly commenced in Dimona as well, roughly 25 kilometers southwest of Arad.

Footage from that area showed a large crater alongside piles of debris and twisted metal, with surrounding buildings suffering blown-out windows and heavily damaged facades as emergency crews worked diligently.

Medics reported treating 33 injured individuals in Dimona, including a boy who suffered serious but conscious shrapnel wounds.

Dimona is widely associated with Israel’s nuclear capabilities, which the country has neither confirmed nor denied, maintaining an ambiguous stance on its nuclear program, officially focused on research.

In response to the attacks, Israel’s Ministry of Education mandated that all classes transition online, halting in-person instruction wherever it still occurred.

Iran has been launching daily missile attacks against Israel, escalating their retaliation for U.S.-Israeli actions that began on February 28.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated his intention to continue operations against Iran and its allies following what he described as a “very difficult night.”