Web Desk: Iranian missile attacks struck southern and central Israel on Sunday, killing at least six people and injuring more than 100, after US and Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, officials and media reports said.
The latest escalation came after reported US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear installations, including the Natanz enrichment facility. In response, Iranian forces launched missiles equipped with cluster warheads toward Israeli cities, according to Iranian media.
The southern cities of Arad and Dimona, as well as other central areas, were among the targets. Iranian outlets said the strikes were retaliation for attacks on Iran’s nuclear program.
Missile strikes hit Dimona for the fifth time in 24 hours, causing widespread destruction in the city, which houses Israel’s nuclear facility under heavy security.
In Arad, at least six people were killed and more than 100 wounded when missiles struck residential areas, damaging at least 20 buildings. Meanwhile, in Dimona, a three-story building collapsed completely, and about 50 people were reported injured.
Israeli authorities did not immediately confirm the full extent of casualties across all affected areas.
Following the attacks, Israel ordered nationwide closures of educational institutions. The education ministry instructed students and staff to avoid physical attendance on Sunday and Monday.
Authorities also issued fresh warnings of possible additional Iranian missile strikes targeting southern regions, including Beersheba and areas near the Dead Sea.
Residents in vulnerable areas were seen moving into shelters as sirens and alerts continued.
Reports indicated that missile defense systems in Dimona may have failed to intercept some of the incoming projectiles, raising concerns about Israel’s ability to counter advanced and complex warheads.
Analysts say cluster munitions can disperse multiple submunitions over a wide area, sometimes covering distances of up to 10 kilometers, making interception more difficult.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted Israeli military installations and security centers in multiple cities, including Eilat, Dimona, Beersheba, and Kiryat.
The IRGC also claimed strikes extended beyond Israel, targeting Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and two sites in the United Arab Emirates. It said more than 200 people were killed in the attacks, although Israel has not confirmed those figures.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the situation as “a very difficult evening” for the country but vowed to continue military operations.
“Despite the challenges, we will keep striking our enemies. This is a war for our future,” he said in a statement on social media.
The situation remains fluid, with fears of further escalation across the region.
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