An Iranian ballistic missile tore into a residential neighborhood in Arad Saturday night, striking the city center directly between apartment buildings. Medical officials reported dozens of casualties with wounds ranging from light to serious, as large rescue forces – including helicopters – rushed to evacuate the wounded to hospitals.
Currently, 64 people were hurt, including 10 seriously, and 15 sustaining moderate wounds, with the rest sustaining light injuries. Four buildings sustained extensive damage and some partially collapsed.
Video: The site of the Iranian missile impact in Arad on March 21, 2026 / Credit: Usage under Israeli intellectual property law Article 27a
Israel has sustained missile barrages on a daily basis since the launch of Operation Roaring Lion in late February to prevent Iran's nuclearization and counter its ongoing aggression and regional threat.
The director general of Magen David Adom (Israel's national emergency medical service) spoke from the scene, describing "a massive-scale incident."
Video: The site of the Iranian missile impact in Arad on March 21, 2026 / Credit: Usage under Israeli intellectual property law Article 27a
Scores of volunteers from central Israel were also traveling south by ambulance to reinforce teams in the Negev region. Hospitals across the south and center of the country were preparing to receive casualties from Arad.
MDA emergency medical technician Yakir Talker said from the scene, "This is a very difficult scene. We arrived with large forces – ambulances, intensive care vehicles, and MDA motorcycles. We saw many casualties with wounds of varying severity as a result of a missile strike. We immediately set up a casualty collection point, triaged the wounded according to their injury levels and provided them with life-saving medical treatment. There is extensive destruction and chaos at the scene. The teams are conducting comprehensive searches at this moment and we will continue to operate here as long as required."
