At least 88 people were injured after an Iranian missile struck the southern Israeli town of Arad near the Dead Sea on Saturday, as the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States continues to intensify.
Israel’s emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA), said the casualties included 10 people in serious condition, 19 moderately wounded and more than 50 with light injuries. Several others were treated for shock.
Local authorities reported that the strike caused significant damage to residential areas, with at least 20 buildings hit or affected by the blast and debris.
Arad, located east of Beersheba and overlooking the Dead Sea, has not typically been a primary target in previous rounds of conflict, highlighting the expanding geographic scope of Iranian strikes.
Israeli officials said air defence systems were activated but some missiles penetrated interception layers, underscoring the intensity of the barrage. There was no immediate confirmation on whether the projectile was a ballistic missile or part of a coordinated salvo.
The attack comes amid a sharp escalation in hostilities following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear-linked infrastructure that began on February 28. Since then, Tehran has launched repeated waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel as well as US-linked positions across the region.
Iran has framed its attacks as retaliation, while Israeli officials warn that civilian areas are increasingly being targeted, raising fears of a broader regional war.
There was no immediate comment from Iranian authorities specifically on the Arad strike, but state media have previously said Iran’s missile campaign will continue as long as attacks on its territory persist.
The latest strike adds to mounting civilian casualties on both sides and comes as global markets and energy routes remain on edge, particularly over concerns tied to the Strait of Hormuz and wider Gulf security.