In a significant military escalation, Iranian missiles struck two southern Israeli towns, injuring 180 individuals according to Israel's health ministry. The towns of Arad and Dimona were specifically targeted, with Arad reporting 116 injuries and Dimona 64, following attacks on Saturday evening.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that despite the missile strikes, no damage was reported to the nuclear research facility located near Dimona, which is often associated with Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal.
Iranian state media suggested the attacks were a retaliatory measure against an assault on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility earlier the same day. The conflict has seen further escalation with missile strikes being launched toward Tel Aviv, injuring at least seven individuals.
Reports indicate that since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, Tehran has launched over 400 missiles at Israel, although the Israeli Air Force claims 92% were intercepted. Witness accounts from Arad described terrifying explosions that left deep craters and significant damage to residential buildings.
Local medics reported seeing numerous injured civilians, including children suffering from serious injuries. The damage extended to entire buildings, with some apartment structures rendered uninhabitable. Eyewitness Ahmadiel Ben Yehuda remarked on the devastation, emphasizing the psychological impact of witnessing such destruction.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog visited the affected areas, with urgent investigations already underway to identify how the missiles managed to breach Israel's defense systems. The situation remains tense as both sides brace for what could be further retaliatory actions amid ongoing hostilities.
