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Dimona has a large Indian-Jewish population, and the community members, mostly from the state of Maharashtra, maintain strong links with India.
Iranian missile strikes on two southern Israeli towns wounded more than 100 people on March 21. (AFP)
At least 47 people were injured after an Iranian ballistic missile struck a residential area in the southern Israeli town of Dimona, famous for the dome-shaped structure atop its nuclear centre and popularly known as “little India” on Saturday evening (local time).
Israel’s national emergency medical service, Magen David Adom (MDA), said more than three dozen people required urgent medical attention, including victims suffering from shrapnel wounds, injuries sustained while rushing to shelters, and cases of acute anxiety.
Among the injured were children, including a 10-year-old boy in moderate condition and a 12-year-old boy reported to be seriously hurt by shrapnel. A woman in her 30s was moderately hurt by glass shards, and 31 others suffered minor injuries from shrapnel or were hurt after falling over while running to shelters, rescuers told news agency PTI.
“Most people were in shelters, which prevented more serious injuries,” a resident noted, adding that one of the severely injured children had remained outside during the attack.
Videos circulating online appeared to show the moment the missile struck, followed by a loud explosion, though the exact details could not be verified. Several homes near the impact site were heavily damaged after the projectile struck a residential area, leaving buildings shattered and debris scattered across the neighbourhood.
Visuals circulating online show the aftermath of the strike, with the blast tearing through parts of a residential block and causing significant structural damage to nearby houses. Windows were blown out, sections of walls collapsed and rubble from the impact site littered the surrounding streets.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it is investigating the failure to intercept the Iranian ballistic missile. The Israeli army said the air defences engaged the ballistic missile, but the interceptors failed to knock it down.
Why Is It Called ‘Little India’?
Dimona has a large Indian-Jewish population, and the community members, mostly from the state of Maharashtra, maintain strong links with India and have consistently put efforts to solidify them. This has earned the town the nickname of “Little India”. The community, numbering around 7,500 people, makes up nearly 30 per cent of the town’s population.
Marathi is widely spoken in the community, and some people also speak Hindi. Cricket is very popular, and many shops sell Indian snacks like sonpapdi, gulab jamun, papri chaat and bhelpuri.
According to the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv, most Indian Jews moved to Israel in the 1950s and 1960s. Most came from Maharashtra, while smaller groups came from Kerala and Kolkata. In recent years, some people from Mizoram and Manipur have also moved there.
Many in the community work as diamond traders, IT professionals and caregivers.
The community stays connected through shared traditions, festivals and food. People from different groups celebrate festivals like Onam and Diwali together and enjoy simple things like tea and rusk.
Indian culture is also popular, with film festivals drawing large crowds and music events selling out.
People of Indian origin live in several cities across Israel, including Haifa, Tel Aviv, Arad, Netanya and Afula.
March 22, 2026, 08:40 IST
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