The Middle East conflict escalated further on Saturday after Iran struck the southern Israeli town of Dimona.Also Read | Watch: Missile strike rocks Israel’s ‘Little India’ as Iran attack injures over 40; videos show chaosIran said the attack was in retaliation for a joint US-Israeli strike on its Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. However, Israel has denied it was involved in the strike.Dimona, which has a population of fewer than 40,000, is home to a significant Indian community. Around 7,500 Indian nationals live here, accounting for roughly 30% of its population.Therefore, the town is often referred to as “Little India.”Click here for live updates on day 23 of Middle East warMaharashtra influenceMost members of the Indian community are Jewish and trace their roots to Maharashtra. Indian shops are scattered across Dimona, many selling familiar snacks such as “sonpapdi,” “gulab jamun,” “papri chaat,” and “bhelpuri.”Cricket is a popular sport in the town, and Marathi is among the most commonly spoken languages.The second edition of the Indian Film Festival in Israel, organised by the Indian embassy, was held in Dimona in November last year.Also Read | ‘Can reach London, Paris or Berlin’: Israel says Iran launched missile with range of 4,000 kmWhy was Dimona specifically hitThe Iranian attack reflects a direct tit-for-tat response. Dimona is close to the Negev desert, home to Israel’s Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Centre.The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced it is investigating a failure to intercept the Iranian ballistic missile. According to the military, air defence systems engaged the incoming projectile, but the interceptors failed to bring it down.The Iranian missile strikeAt least 47 people were injured in the attack, including a 12-year-old boy who remains in serious condition after being struck by shrapnel, officials from the Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue services and local residents told PTI.A woman in her 30s sustained moderate injuries from flying glass, while 31 others suffered minor wounds from shrapnel or were hurt while rushing to shelters. Another 14 people were treated for acute anxiety at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, southern Israel.The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), noted that there were no indications of damage to the nearby nuclear facility.“The IAEA is aware of reports of an incident in the city of Dimona, Israel, involving a missile impact and has not received any indication of damage to the nuclear research center Negev,” the agency posted on X.It also called for “maximum military restraint” following the attack.
