Iranian missiles struck towns in southern Israel, wounding dozens and causing significant damage, residents and emergency services said, as hostilities between the two countries continued.
Seventeen-year-old Ido Franky described hearing “terrifying” explosions as he sheltered with his family during a strike on the town of Arad early Sunday.
“There was a ‘boom, boom!’ My mother was screaming,” he said near the impact site.
A missile hit Arad hours after another struck near Dimona, home to a nuclear facility, according to authorities.
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said 84 people were taken to hospital from the Arad scene, including 10 in serious condition.
Police warn to stay away
Emergency workers and security forces remained at the site into the early hours of Sunday, searching rubble and securing the area as residents gathered nearby despite police warnings to stay away.
A crater about five metres wide was left among damaged buildings, and several structures were reported hit.
Police spokesman Dean Elsdunne said it would take hours to clear the scene and account for all residents.
Earlier, a missile landed about 5 km (3 miles) from the nuclear facility in Dimona, wounding around 30 people, rescuers said. Israel maintains a policy of ambiguity over its nuclear programme and has not confirmed possessing nuclear weapons.
Footage from the scene showed extensive damage to residential buildings, with debris scattered across the area.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attacks as “a very difficult evening in the battle for our future” and said Israel would continue operations against its enemies.
A military spokesman said air defence systems had failed to intercept one of the missiles and that the incident would be investigated.
Iranian missile attacks since the start of the conflict on Feb. 28 have killed 15 people in Israel, as well as four Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, according to official figures.
Sunday’s strikes on Dimona were among the most damaging since the fighting began, even as the United States and Israel continue to carry out air strikes on targets in Iran.
