Israel's health ministry reports that 180 people were injured—some seriously—in Iranian missile strikes on two southern Israeli towns close to a nuclear facility. The ministry indicated that 116 individuals were hurt in Arad, while another 64 were injured in Dimona following ballistic missile attacks on Saturday evening.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that it is not aware of any damage to the nuclear research facility located about 13 km from Dimona.
Claims from Iranian state television suggested these strikes were in retaliation for an attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility that occurred earlier on the same day. Following the Arad and Dimona strikes, at least seven additional injuries were reported due to a missile attack on Tel Aviv the next day.
The Israeli Air Force stated that Iran has launched about 400 missiles at Israel since the US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, achieving a high interception rate of 92%.
Local residents in Arad described the strikes as horrifying, with reports of substantial damage to several building structures. Naram Zaid, a paramedic, mentioned attending to numerous children with injuries caused by debris. The psychological impact on survivors, especially children, has been profound, with many refusing to evacuate until their families were accounted for.
While Israeli leaders visited the impacted sites, urgent investigations are underway to determine how such missile attacks could penetrate Israel's defense systems, which have historically been robust.
The incident underscores the escalating conflict dynamics in the region, as well as the heavy toll on the civilian population caught in crossfire of broader geopolitical tensions.
