Final Updated:
Dimona has a gargantuan Indian-Jewish inhabitants, and the community members, mainly from the stutter of Maharashtra, abet sturdy links with India.
Iranian missile strikes on two southern Israeli cities wounded extra than 100 folks on March 21. (AFP)
Finally 47 folks had been injured after an Iranian ballistic missile struck a residential intention in the southern Israeli metropolis of Dimona, infamous for the dome-formed structure atop its nuclear centre and popularly frequently known as “small 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 eminent, adding that indubitably one of many severely injured youngsters had remained launch air at some stage in the attack.
Videos circulating online looked as if it would point out the second the missile struck, adopted by a loud explosion, despite the truth that the true crucial parts couldn’t be verified. Several homes reach the affect standing had been closely damaged after the projectile struck a residential intention, leaving structures shattered and debris scattered across the neighbourhood.
Visuals circulating online point out the aftermath of the strike, with the blast tearing by strategy of aspects of a residential block and inflicting significant structural hurt to nearby houses. House windows had been blown out, sections of partitions collapsed and rubble from the affect standing littered the surrounding streets.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it’s investigating the failure to intercept the Iranian ballistic missile. The Israeli army said the air defences engaged the ballistic missile, however the interceptors did not knock it down.
Why Is It Called ‘Little India’?
Dimona has a gargantuan Indian-Jewish inhabitants, and the community members, mainly from the stutter of Maharashtra, abet sturdy links with India and have consistently put efforts to solidify them. This has earned the metropolis 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.
First Published:
March 22, 2026, 08:40 IST
News world From Jalebi To Bollywood: All About Israel’s ‘Little India’ Dimona, Key Nuclear Town Hit By Iran
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Read More
