Iranian Missile Strikes H!t Southern Israel, Nearly 100 Persons !njured As Air Defences Fail

 

Iranian Missile Strikes Hit Southern Israel, Nearly 100 Persons Injured As Air Defences Fail

Among the victims were a 12-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, both said to be in critical condition, as emergency responders battled to manage the aftermath of the attacks.

No fewer than 100 people have been injured following a barrage of Iranian ballistic missile strikes on southern Israel, with projectiles hitting the cities of Arad and Dimona after air defence systems reportedly failed to intercept at least two missiles.

Among the victims were a 12-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, both said to be in critical condition, as emergency responders battled to manage the aftermath of the attacks.

Local reports indicated that at least 27 people were wounded in Dimona, including a teenager who suffered severe injuries from shrapnel.

In Arad, no fewer than 68 persons were injured, with 10 in serious condition and 14 moderately hurt, while others sustained minor injuries.

A mass-casualty situation was declared at a hospital in Beersheba as rescue teams responded to multiple strike locations.

Chief executive of Israel’s emergency service, Magen David Adom, Eli Bin, described the scale of destruction, warning that some victims might still be trapped.

He said the situation was “an event of enormous magnitude,” adding that there were concerns about individuals still unaccounted for.

Preliminary reports suggested that one of the missiles, believed to carry a heavy conventional warhead, struck between residential buildings, causing significant structural damage and igniting fires in nearby homes.

Footage circulating online showed the moment of impact occurring seconds after warning sirens sounded, although the timing has not been independently verified.

The Israeli military confirmed it has launched an investigation into the apparent failure of its air defence system to intercept the missile that struck Arad.

“The air defence systems operated but did not intercept the missile. We will investigate the incident and learn from it. This is not a special or unfamiliar type of munition,” said Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson, Effie Defrin.

He added, “Our hearts are with the residents of Arad and Dimona tonight.”

Unconfirmed reports indicated that at least one building partially collapsed with occupants inside, while another structure caught fire, raising fears that the casualty figure could increase as rescue efforts continue.

Reacting to the development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a “very difficult evening in the campaign for our future.”

“We will continue to strike our enemies on all fronts with determination,” Netanyahu said.

Authorities are also investigating an earlier strike in Dimona, a city in the Negev desert known for housing the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, widely believed to be central to Israel’s undeclared nuclear programme.

Meanwhile, Iranian state-linked media claimed responsibility for the strikes, describing them as retaliation for alleged attacks on nuclear facilities in Bushehr and Natanz—claims Israel has denied.

“The enemy has once again received an unforgettable lesson,” Iran’s Tasnim news agency said. “No area is safe from Iranian missiles.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was aware of reports of a strike near Dimona but had no indication of damage to nuclear infrastructure, adding that no abnormal radiation levels had been detected.

The agency noted it is continuing to monitor the situation closely.

Its Director General, Rafael Grossi, reiterated calls for restraint.

He urged “military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident.”

Air raid sirens reportedly continued to sound across parts of southern Israel overnight, underscoring fears of further escalation despite recent easing of some wartime restrictions in affected areas.