By Pesach Benson • March 22, 2026
Jerusalem, 22 March, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A total of 303 people were evacuated to hospitals across Israel in the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said Sunday, as Iranian missile strikes on the southern cities of Arad and Dimona alone left nearly 200 wounded and caused extensive damage.
In Arad, 116 injured people were admitted to Soroka Medical Center in Beer-Sheva, including seven in serious condition, 22 in moderate condition, and 87 with light injuries. Two additional casualties in moderate condition were taken to Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel’s Health Ministry said on Sunday.
The Health Ministry added that the separate strike in Dimona left 64 people hospitalized at Soroka Medical Center in Beer-Sheva, including one in serious condition, two in moderate condition, and 61 with light injuries. Among the seriously wounded were two children: a 12-year-old boy injured by shrapnel in Dimona and a 5-year-old girl hurt in Arad. Medical officials said many of the injuries were caused by shrapnel or occurred while civilians rushed to reach shelters.
Iranian state media said the strikes targeted a nuclear research facility near Dimona, claiming the attack was retaliation for an alleged U.S. strike on Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment site earlier in the day. Israel denied involvement in that incident.
Footage circulating online showed a ballistic missile descending at high speed before striking a residential area, causing fires and widespread destruction. Emergency responders described scenes of chaos, with damaged apartment buildings and residents trapped under debris.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Israel would continue operations on “all fronts” as the conflict with Iran intensified.
Since the February 28 breakout of war, 4,564 people have been injured in Iranian and Hezbollah missile attacks, Israel’s Health Ministry said on Sunday morning.
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