Yiannis Damellos
Source: https://www.documentonews.gr/, https://www.local10.com/, https://www.israelhayom.com/
Sirens are sounding throughout central, northern, and southern Israel, as well as in the Jerusalem area, following a ballistic missile attack launched by Iran on Thursday morning. The strikes directly hit Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, alongside residential and commercial areas in Holon and Ramat Gan. Israel, meanwhile, carried out strikes on Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, its latest attack on Iran’s sprawling nuclear program.
The Israeli military reported detecting missile launches from Iran and advised citizens to follow the Home Front Command's security protocols. They confirmed that the Israeli air force was working to intercept the incoming missiles, although the country’s defenses were not “airtight.”
Times of Israel: Hospital Hit by Iranian Fire
Israeli media reported that Iran's missile attack on Thursday morning struck Beersheba's Soroka Hospital.
Iran unleashed a barrage of roughly 25 missiles on Israel Thursday morning at around 7 a.m., as the war with the Islamic terrorist regime arpproached its 7-day milestone, injuring dozens.
The strikes directly hit Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, alongside residential and commercial areas in Holon and Ramat Gan, leaving widespread destruction and dozens of casualties. The Iranian assault injured 44 people across multiple locations.
This was most significant attack in the last 48 hours and just hours after a missile volley from Iran targeted the country overnight.
Soroka Hospital in Beersheba endured a severe direct hit, with extensive damage reported across the medical complex. The hospital's spokesperson confirmed that the strike damaged the exterior of the Soroka Emergency Department and other critical areas. During the explosion, several individuals were trapped in an elevator and required immediate rescue. Hospital officials requested that the public refrain from visiting, stating, "We are currently evaluating the full extent of the damage and injuries." The Ministry of Health emphasized its preparedness for such incidents, including contingency plans for transferring patients to alternative facilities. Beersheba's municipal emergency teams were on-site, coordinating with security and rescue forces.
In Holon, 10 individuals were wounded – three with severe injuries, one with moderate wounds, and seven with minor injuries.
Ramat Gan reported 23 lightly injured residents, while in Tel Aviv, one person was evacuated with minor injuries after a fire ignited at an impact site.
Magen David Adom (MDA) teams treated 22 people with light injuries across the affected areas, alongside the critically and moderately injured in Holon and individuals trapped in an elevator in Beersheba. Several others received care for acute anxiety.
Bloomberg: U.S. Attack on Iran Within Days**
U.S. government officials told Bloomberg news agency that preparations are underway to launch bombings on Iran in the coming days. The situation remains fluid and may change, with some sources suggesting that bombings could occur over the weekend.
All-Night Bombings Against Tehran
A new series of strikes carried out by Israel targeted Tehran and other areas of Iran. The semi-official Iranian news agency SNN reported that air defenses were activated in central Tehran, and drones were intercepted on the outskirts of the capital. Additionally, Iranian news agencies reported the arrest of 18 “enemy agents” (i.e., Israelis) who were assembling drones intended for attacks in Mashhad.
Israel hits Arak reactor site
Israel, meanwhile, carried out strikes on Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, its latest attack on Iran’s sprawling nuclear program. Iranian state television said there was “no radiation danger whatsoever" and that the facility had been evacuated before the attack.
Located 250 kilometers southwest of Tehran, the Arak heavy water reactor cools nuclear reactors but produces plutonium as a byproduct, which can potentially be used in nuclear weapons. This situation would provide Iran with an additional means to develop a bomb beyond enriched uranium, should it choose to pursue that path.
Iran had agreed in the 2015 nuclear deal to redesign the Arak facility to alleviate concerns over nuclear proliferation. However, in 2019, Iran restarted the reactor's secondary cycle, which was not deemed a violation of the 2015 deal at that time.
Britain had previously assisted Iran in redesigning the Arak reactor to limit plutonium production, stepping in after the U.S. withdrew from the agreement following President Donald Trump's 2018 decision to unilaterally exit.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly urged Israel not to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. IAEA inspectors visited Arak on May 14, but due to restrictions imposed by Iran, the IAEA has stated it has lost “continuity of knowledge” about the reactor, making it unable to fully verify Iran's production and stockpiles.
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