Netanyahu
By Chris Williams
A hospital in southern Israel and towns near Tel Aviv were hit by dozens of Iranian ballistic missiles on Thursday morning, leaving at least three people dead and more than 100 injured. The attacks caused major damage to the Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba and struck residential areas in Bat Yam, Ramat Gan, and Holon, as part of an ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran that started last Friday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that Iran would “pay a heavy price” for the strikes, while Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had been ordered to “intensify” attacks on Iran.
The missile barrage began early Thursday, with sirens blaring across Israel as the military spotted incoming missiles from Iran. Journalists in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem reported hearing loud explosions, with the blasts in Jerusalem around 7:10 am being the loudest since the conflict flared up. The Soroka Medical Centre, a key hospital in southern Israel that also treats soldiers wounded in Gaza, took a direct hit. A hospital spokesperson said there was “damage to the hospital and extensive damage in various areas,” adding that a 60-year-old man was critically injured. The hospital is now closed to the public as staff assess the situation and care for the wounded.
In Bat Yam, a town near Tel Aviv, the strikes claimed three lives: a 69-year-old woman, an 80-year-old woman, and a 10-year-old child. At least 100 people were injured there, according to Israel’s emergency services. Across the affected areas, rescuers reported over 100 injuries, including three people in serious condition, two in moderate condition, and 42 with minor injuries from shrapnel and blasts. Another 18 people were hurt while rushing to shelters. Smoke was seen rising from damaged buildings in Ramat Gan and Holon, towns close to the coastal city of Tel Aviv, which Iran has targeted repeatedly since the war began.
Iran’s missiles, some travelling over 2,000 km to reach Israel, showed off the country’s growing military power. Israel’s air defences struggled to stop all the incoming missiles, with dozens breaking through. A military official confirmed that “dozens of ballistic missiles” were launched, marking this as one of the heaviest attacks in the current conflict.
Israel’s Leaders Promise a Strong Response
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to react, vowing tough action against Iran. “This morning, Iran’s terrorist dictators fired missiles at Soroka Hospital… and at civilians in the centre of the country,” he said in a post on X. “We will make the tyrants in Tehran pay a heavy price.” Defence Minister Israel Katz called the strikes “some of the most serious war crimes” and said Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be “held accountable for his actions.” Katz added that he and Netanyahu had told the military to “intensify strikes against strategic targets in Iran and against the power infrastructure in Tehran, in order to eliminate the threats to the State of Israel and to shake the ayatollahs’ regime.”
Iran Hits Back with Threats of Its Own
Iranian leaders fired back, promising to retaliate for Israel’s earlier attacks on their country, which hit nuclear facilities and military sites. President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that Iran would “strongly take action” against Israel, promising “a severe, wise and strong answer.” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of starting the war and said Iran would not let Israel “escape safely from this great crime.” The back-and-forth threats show how quickly this conflict is heating up.
A Conflict That’s Getting Worse
The fighting between Israel and Iran kicked off last Friday and has only gotten worse since then. The two countries have been at odds for years, with Israel claiming Iran supports terrorist groups and is building nuclear weapons. Iran says those claims are false and accuses Israel of stirring up trouble in the region. This latest round of missile attacks is the most serious yet, with both sides digging in for more.
The World Watches and Worries
The growing conflict has the world on edge, with fears it could pull in other countries. The United Nations Secretary-General has begged both sides to show “maximum restraint” and avoid making things worse. The United States, a close friend of Israel, backs Israel’s right to defend itself but has asked for calm to stop the fighting from spreading. There’s real worry that the US, with its military bases nearby, or Iran’s allies like Russia and China, could get dragged in.
Fear Grips Israeli Communities
People living in the struck areas are scared and shaken. “We’re constantly on edge, not knowing when the next missile will come,” said a Tel Aviv resident. “We just want this to end.” In Beersheba, hospital workers were stunned by the attack. “We were treating patients when the missiles hit,” a spokesperson said. “It’s a miracle more people weren’t hurt.” The human toll is clear, with families mourning the dead and injured in a war that shows no signs of slowing down.
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