Iranian Missile Strikes Injure Over 100 In Two Israel Towns; Netanyahu Vows To Keep Striking Enemies

New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Sunday to continue striking Iran after Iranian missile strikes on two southern Israeli towns, Arad and Dimona, leaving over 100 people injured.

The Iranian missiles struck the southern Israeli town of Dimona -- famous for the dome-shaped structure atop its nuclear centre and popularly known as "little India" and Arad.

Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement, "The Iranian regime devastated Arad and Dimona by deliberately striking civilians with missiles. Over 100 people were injured, including children. A blatant war crime. Pure terrorism."

Yair Maayan, the mayor of Arad in southern Israel, said that about 150 families were evacuated from the neighbourhood that was hit. Israeli Prime Minister held talks with the Mayor of Arad, Yair Maayan and conveyed his prayers for those injured.

In a post on X, he said, "This is a very difficult evening in the battle for our future. Just a short while ago, I spoke with the Mayor of Arad, Yair Maayan, and asked him to convey, on behalf of all Israeli citizens, our prayers for the peace of the injured. I have instructed the Director General of my office to provide all the necessary assistance together with all government ministries."

"I strengthen the emergency and rescue forces operating in the field right now, and I call on everyone to heed the instructions of the Home Front Command. We are determined to continue to strike our enemies on all fronts," he added.

Rescue workers said the direct hit in Arad caused widespread damage across at least 10 apartment buildings, three of them badly damaged and in danger of collapsing. At least 64 people were taken to hospitals.

Dimona is about 20 kilometres west of Israel's nuclear research centre, and Arad is around 35 kilometres north.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it is investigating the failure to intercept the Iranian ballistic missile. The Israeli army said the air defences engaged the ballistic missile, but the interceptors failed to knock it down. “The incident will be investigated,” it said. UN nuclear watchdog IAEA issued a call for “maximum military restraint” after the attack.

“The IAEA is aware of reports of an incident in the city of Dimona, Israel, involving a missile impact and has not received any indication of damage to the nuclear research centre Negev,” the IAEA said in a post on X.

Iran said it is targeting Dimona as a “response” to an earlier strike on the Natanz nuclear enrichment site. The IDF, however, said it was not responsible for striking Natanz earlier in the day.

Dimona has a large Indian-Jewish population, and the community members, mostly from Maharashtra, maintain strong links with India and have consistently put efforts to solidify them. This has earned the town the nickname of "Little India".

Indian shops are spread across the town, and Marathi can be heard everywhere, with a 7,500-strong Indian community making up for some 30 per cent of the town's population. (With Agency Inputs)

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