Iran missile hits Israel’s 'Little India'. 47 injured in Dimona, home to nuclear reactor

At least 47 people were injured on Saturday evening after an Iranian missile struck the southern Israeli town of Dimona, according to PTI citing rescue services.

Among the injured was a 12-year-old boy who remains in serious condition after being hit by shrapnel. Officials from the Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue service said a woman in her 30s was moderately injured by flying glass, while 31 others sustained minor injuries from shrapnel or while rushing to shelters. A further 14 people were treated for acute anxiety at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba.

“The missile fell on a community building, and nearby older houses collapsed under the impact. Most of the people were in shelters, so they were not hurt badly, except for the young boy who stayed outside,” a local resident told PTI.


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Israel Investigates Air Defence Failure

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it is investigating why its air defence systems failed to intercept the incoming ballistic missile.

According to the military, interceptors were launched but did not succeed in destroying the missile.

“The incident will be investigated,” the IDF said.

IAEA Urges ‘Maximum Military Restraint’

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), called for “maximum military restraint” following the strike.

“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 agency said in a post on X.

Iran Claims Strike Was ‘Response’ to Natanz Attack

Iran said the strike on Dimona was carried out in response to an earlier attack on the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. However, the IDF denied responsibility for any strike on Natanz earlier in the day.

The exchange marks a further escalation in tensions between the two sides, with concerns growing over attacks near sensitive nuclear facilities.

Dimona’s ‘Little India’ Community in Focus

Dimona, known for its proximity to Israel’s nuclear facility, is also home to a large Indian-Jewish community, earning it the nickname “Little India”.

The town has around 7,500 residents of Indian origin, many tracing their roots to Maharashtra, accounting for roughly 30 per cent of the population. Indian culture remains deeply embedded in the town, with Marathi widely spoken and local shops offering familiar foods such as ‘sonpapdi’, ‘gulab jamun’, ‘papri chaat’ and ‘bhelpuri’.

Cricket is also popular among the younger generation, reflecting the community’s enduring cultural ties with India.

As the conflict intensifies, international calls for restraint continue amid fears of a broader regional crisis.

Inputs from PTI