- Iran attacks Dimona as Israel conflict intensifies
- Little India community in Dimona faces war impact
Hyderabad, March 23: Iran attacked Dimona, a city in Israel known as “Little India,” as the conflict with Israel intensified. The strikes came amid ongoing fighting between Iran and Israel, which has continued for three weeks with rising intensity.
Iran on Saturday launched missiles targeting Dimona. It described the strike as retaliation for an earlier attack on the Natanz nuclear center in Iran. Reports said about 33 people were injured in these attacks. Meanwhile, concerns have grown as key locations continue to come under fire.
Dimona, located in the Negev desert, holds strong cultural ties with India. It is widely known as “Little India” due to its large Indian-origin population. Around 30 percent of the city’s residents are Jewish people of Indian origin. Therefore, the city reflects a unique blend of Indian culture and Israeli life.
Walking through its streets, one can find Indian food such as jalebis, soan papdi, gulab jamun, and bhelpuri. Marathi and Hindi are commonly spoken. Also, residents celebrate festivals like Diwali and Onam with enthusiasm. Cultural events such as the Indian Film Festival held in November 2025 and a recent music festival have drawn strong participation.
The roots of this community go back to migration waves in the 1950s and 1960s. During that time, many Jews from India moved to Israel. These included Bene Israelites from Maharashtra, Cochin Jews from Kerala, Baghdadi Jews from Kolkata, and the Bene Moshe community from Mizoram and Manipur. Over time, many members of these communities became diamond traders and IT professionals.
Dimona is also home to the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Facility, a key site in Israel. Construction began in 1958, and it has been operational since 1964. Reports indicated that areas near the facility may have suffered damage, as Israeli defense systems could not intercept the incoming missiles.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to target key areas in Israel and Gulf countries. These actions are in response to attacks by the United States and Israel. Therefore, the situation remains tense, and global concerns continue to rise over the ongoing conflict.
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