Nearly 100 people were wounded in missile strikes from Iran targeting southern Israel, particularly in the cities of Arad and Dimona, with reports of serious injuries among children.
On Saturday, Iranian ballistic missile strikes injured approximately 100 individuals in southern Israel, predominantly affecting the cities of Arad and Dimona, where air defense systems failed to intercept at least two missiles. Initial reports indicated severe injuries to both a 12-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, with ongoing concerns about potential fatalities as the situation unfolded. Israeli broadcaster Channel 13 noted that while early indications pointed to possible deaths, official confirmation was still pending at the time of reporting.
In Dimona, local officials reported that at least 27 people suffered injuries, including a teenager who faced severe shrapnel wounds. Meanwhile, the city of Arad experienced the brunt of the attacks, with at least 68 individuals reported injured, 10 seriously and 14 with moderate injuries. As emergency responders rushed to the scene, Soroka hospital in Beersheba declared a mass-casualty incident to manage the influx of injured patients from multiple strike locations.
Magen David Adom’s chief executive, Eli Bin, stated that rescue teams believed some individuals were trapped under the rubble of damaged buildings in Arad, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Describing the emergency response as “an event of enormous magnitude,” he highlighted the need for a coordinated effort to assist those affected by the missile strikes, showcasing the ongoing tensions and the impact of such escalations on civilian populations in the region.
