‘Israel is fighting for you all’: Netanyahu urges global action as he visits missile strike site in Arad

In Arad, 31 people were hospitalised, including 18 children. At least nine of them were reported to be in serious condition.

Published on: Mar 22, 2026, 19:50:42 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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After two Iranian missiles struck southern Israel overnight, bypassing air defences and causing widespread damage, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the impact site in Arad on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the town of Arad, which was struck during a Iranian missile attack (AFP)

“I am here in Arad, no one was killed,” Netanyahu said. He pointed to the damage around him and highlighted the narrow window residents had to seek safety. “If you are in the protected spaces, you are protected,” he said, urging people to act immediately when sirens sound.

He further criticised Iran’s actions and said, “Iran has proven… that it is the enemy of civilization and a danger to the free world," accusing it of targeting civilians and attempting to pressure global powers.

Appealing to international leaders, Netanyahu added, “What are you waiting for? Israel is fighting not only for itself, but for all of you.”

Also read | How Dimona earned ‘mini-India’ title and why Iran chose to target the Southern Israeli city

Parts of the apartment block were destroyed, and at least eight buildings in the area were damaged. Emergency teams moved through the debris, carrying out search and rescue operations floor by floor, news agency Reuters reported.

Visuals from the scene showed flames engulfing the upper levels of a residential building shortly after the strike.

In Arad alone, 31 people were hospitalised, including 18 children. At least nine of them were reported to be in serious condition, while many others sustained minor injuries. In nearby Dimona, which was also hit, five people were taken to hospital, including a 12-year-old boy in serious condition.

Also read | Over 100 injured in Israel after Iran strikes towns near nuclear research centre

Israeli authorities said the missiles used were conventional ballistic weapons.

The attack has intensified concerns in areas close to key installations. Both Arad and Dimona are located near sensitive sites, including a nuclear reactor and major military bases such as Nevatim Air Base.

For residents, the incident unfolded in a familiar pattern, alerts on mobile phones followed by air raid sirens, leaving only minutes to seek shelter.

Israel has faced sustained missile fire since joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Reportedly, at least 20 civilians have been killed in Israel and the Palestinian territories during this period, alongside fresh injuries reported from ongoing attacks.

While Israel has accused Iran of targeting civilian areas, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have maintained that their strikes are aimed at military and security-related sites in response to Israeli actions.

(With inputs from Reuters)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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