Iran fired a series of ballistic missiles at the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad on Saturday, March 21, injuring at least 180 people in what marks one of the sharpest escalations yet in the ongoing confrontation involving the US, Israel and Iran, now in its fourth week.
According to Israeli health authorities, Arad bore the brunt of the attack, with 116 people wounded. Seven of them are reported to be in serious condition. Several residential blocks in the city centre were damaged as missiles struck populated areas.
In Dimona, 64 people were injured, including one in serious condition. Many suffered shrapnel wounds after direct hits destroyed parts of residential neighbourhoods. Among those hurt was a young boy, reported to be between 10 and 12 years old, who sustained severe injuries.
Dimona is home to the sensitive Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, though officials said the facility itself was not affected. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed there was no damage to the site and no abnormal radiation levels. Its chief, Rafael Grossi, urged all sides to exercise restraint, particularly around nuclear infrastructure.
Iranian state media described the strikes as retaliation for an earlier attack on the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, an incident Israel has denied any role in. Israeli officials said air defence systems were activated but failed to intercept some of the incoming missiles, which they described as heavy ballistic projectiles.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “difficult evening” and indicated that Israeli operations against Iran would continue.
Iran, meanwhile, has claimed that more than 1,500 people have been killed in US-Israeli strikes since late February, including over 200 children, figures that have not been independently verified.
Since the conflict began on February 28, more than 4,500 people in Israel have been taken to hospitals, with over 100 still undergoing treatment. Emergency responders said several missiles directly struck civilian areas, exposing gaps in interception systems as both sides continue to target locations linked, directly or indirectly, to nuclear capabilities.
