
Image source, Reuters
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- Author, Writing
- Author's title, BBC News World
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An Iranian missile hit this Thursday in one of the main hospitals in southern Israel, causing great damage, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For his part, the Israeli army also confirmed that he attacked Arak's nuclear reactor in Iran.
This has been one of the most intense nights of Iranian attacks on Israel since the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu began its offensive against Iran last week.
“This morning, Iran's terrorist tyrants launched missiles against the Soroka hospital in Beersheba and against a civilian population in the center of the country. We will demand the entire price of Tehran's tyrants,” said Israeli prime minister in an X publication in X.
According to an Israeli official, Iran launched “tens” of ballistic missiles. At least 65 people have been injured, Magen David Adom emergency service reported.
Several missiles also fell on the towns of Ramat Gan and Holon, both in the Tel Aviv area, inflicting important damage.
This morning's attacks “show that Iran still has the capacity to launch missiles and cause damage,” analyzes from Jerusalem the correspondent for the Middle East of the BBC, Hugo Bachega.
The Soroka Hospital, in the southern city of Beersheba, suffered a direct impact, according to Israeli authorities. Videos on social networks show large columns of smoke, shattered windows and people shouting while walking through the halls.
According to a spokeswoman, the hospital has suffered “serious damage.” The population has been asked to remain away from the area for fear of a “danger of dangerous material”.
Iran ensures, however, that the main objective of this morning's missile attack was a military location next to the Beersheba Hospital, not the hospital itself, according to the Iranian state media.
According to the IRNA news agency, the attack was directed against a “headquarters of command and intelligence (C4I of the FDI)” of the Israel defense forces and an intelligence camp of the army in the Gav-Yam Technology Park “.
Image source, Reuters
Meanwhile, the Israeli army confirmed the bombing of Arak's nuclear reactor.
According to Israel's defense forces, the reactor is designed to produce high performance plutonium, material used to manufacture nuclear weapons.
“The attack was aimed at the component for the production of plutonium, in order to prevent the reactor from being restored and used for the development of nuclear weapons,” they said in a statement.
In their last attacks, 40 combat aircraft attacked dozens of military facilities, including raw material factories, ballistic missile assembly parts and locations for the construction of anti -aircraft defense systems and Iranian missiles.
Iran has responded to almost a week of Israeli air attacks against military and nuclear facilities, energy facilities, airports, government buildings and also residential areas.
Iran affirms that it is a war for aggression and that he has the right to defend himself.
Pressure on Washington
Hugo Bachega analysis, correspondent for the Middle East of the BBC.
Israel has justified his attacks saying that Iran was reaching the “point of no return” in its nuclear program and that it was close to developing a nuclear weapon, although it has not provided evidence of it.
Iran affirms that its nuclear program has civil and peaceful purposes, and the recent valuation of US officials was that Iran had not made the decision to militarize its nuclear program, although it is not clear if it had plans to do so.
This morning's attacks arrive at a critical moment, while President Trump considers the possibility of a direct American involvement in the Israel campaign.
The attacks will probably be used by Israeli officials and supporters of military action to press Trump to act.
The Iranian supreme leader, Ali Jamenei, has rejected Trump's calls to surrender, and Iran has threatened to attack US military interests in the Middle East in response.
His allies in Iraq and Yemen could also attack, causing even more violence.
Until now, efforts to descale the conflict have been unsuccessful, and Israel has indicated that this campaign will continue.
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