WANA (Mar 21) – Hebrew-language media reported that missiles launched by Iran struck the city of Dimona in southern occupied Palestine, in what Iranian media described as a response to Israel’s action against the Natanz nuclear facility.

 

According to the reports, at least one missile hit Dimona, causing a building in the city to partially collapse and prompting search operations for possible victims trapped under the rubble. Israeli emergency sources said rescue teams were dispatched to the scene.

 

Initial reports indicated that at least 20 people were injured in the attack, but later updates said the number of wounded had risen to 51. According to these reports, some injuries were caused by shrapnel, while others resulted from the building collapse and blast damage.

 

A fire was also reported at the impact site, and local media said a number of people had become trapped inside the targeted building. Israeli media further reported that military helicopters landed in Dimona to evacuate the wounded to medical centers.

 

In the aftermath of the strike, Israeli authorities called on residents in the impact area to leave their homes. Israeli media said the evacuation order was issued over concerns about a gas leak in the area.

 

Iran’s state television said the strike was carried out in response to Israel’s action against the Natanz nuclear facility. In this context, some media outlets described the attack as a sign of an emerging new equation in the direct confrontation between Iran and Israel — one in which Dimona is being positioned as a direct counterpart to Natanz.

 

Sources also reported extensive damage across several parts of Dimona. Some reports said several people were seriously wounded and that explosions were recorded in different parts of the city following the missile impacts.

 

Israel’s Channel 12 also reported that air raid sirens continued to sound repeatedly in northern occupied territories and that attacks in those areas had not ceased. The channel added that residents in conflict zones near the Lebanese border endured a sleepless night, with warning sirens sounding 26 times overnight.

 

Meanwhile, some Hebrew-language media outlets claimed that Iran used a new type of missile in this latest round of attacks. According to those reports, the missile reportedly separates into three large submunitions, each weighing around 100 kilograms. The claim has not been independently verified.

 

The missile strike on Dimona came as the city remains one of the most sensitive strategic locations in Israel’s security architecture due to its proximity to one of the country’s most critical strategic facilities. At the same time, Iranian media portrayed the strike as part of Tehran’s direct response to the attack on Natanz.