Iranian missiles hit the Israeli cities of Arad and Dimona on March 21, 2026, injuring over 100 people including children. Interception attempts by the Israeli military failed, leading to direct impacts and significant damage to residential areas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the attacks, vowing to continue strikes against enemies.
On March 21, 2026, an Iranian medium-range ballistic missile struck Arad in southern Israel after two failed interception attempts by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), injuring around 75 people. According to The Jerusalem Post, 10 were seriously hurt and taken to a hospital in Beersheba, with at least four unconscious. Arad Mayor Yair Ma’ayan stated that no one sheltering was injured. Social media videos and drone footage from United Hatzalah showed destruction to several residential buildings and a collapsed structure near Dimona in the Negev Desert. The IDF confirmed the missile weighed 450 kg. Earlier that Saturday, another missile hit Dimona, home to the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, injuring 33 people including children, per first responders. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attacks as a “blatant war crime” and “pure terrorism,” noting over 100 injuries among civilians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “This is a very difficult evening in the battle for our future... We are determined to continue to strike our enemies on all fronts.” He instructed aid for the wounded and urged compliance with Home Front Command instructions. The strikes occurred amid ongoing U.S.-Israeli operations against Iranian military targets, including a research facility linked to ballistic missiles and nuclear components hours earlier.