Magen David Adom (MDA) crews are responding to a complex incident following a ballistic missile strike in a residential neighborhood in Arad.
Shortly after sirens sounded across southern Israel, MDA’s 101 emergency dispatch centers were flooded with calls. Large numbers of Magen David Adom (MDA) forces were immediately deployed to the scene, including rapid response volunteers, ambulances, mobile intensive care units, and MDA helicopters.
MDA teams are working side by side with the IDF’s Home Front Command, Israel Police, and Fire & Rescue Services to save lives. Crews are conducting house-to-house searches and rescuing victims from several damaged buildings. MDA EMTs and paramedics have provided initial treatment to dozens of casualties and evacuated them to hospitals.
MDA Emergency Medical Technician Yeshayahu Rahabi said: “As soon as we received reports of the strike, we responded with large forces. I arrived at the scene within minutes and saw extensive destruction: smoke, shattered glass, and chaos. I immediately began providing medical treatment to several injured people at the scene. Additional MDA teams set up a casualty collection point, where those rescued were brought for immediate care. MDA teams continue to search the area, treat patients with varying levels of injuries, and transport them to hospitals.”
MDA EMT Saar Shachori also said: “Through the rubble, I identified four casualties: a 4-year-old girl in serious condition, one in moderate condition, and two children with minor injuries. They were frightened and called out for help. I ran to them, helped them out of the debris, provided life-saving medical care, and evacuated them to the hospital.”
Following the incident, and a separate missile strike in Dimona shortly beforehand, MDA’s Blood Services supplied 90 units of blood and blood products to hospitals.
As of 11:45 PM (March 21, 2026), 67 victims have been evacuated from the scene, including: 45 in mild condition, 14 in moderate condition, 7 in serious condition, and 1 treated for anxiety.
MDA teams, together with Home Front Command units, continue joint search operations.
Magen David Adom again urges the public to strictly follow Home Front Command guidelines they save lives.
