The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran escalated significantly last week, resulting in extensive military actions that have claimed hundreds of lives on both sides. Israel carried out wave after wave of airstrikes targeting the most vital Iranian nuclear facilities. In retaliation, Israel carried out airstrikes throughout Iranian territory, including an unconfirmed ballistic missile strike on Soroka Hospital in Beersheba. These counterterrorism measures are deeply irresponsible and exacerbate grave harm to civilians, both in terms of direct civilian deaths and overall war impact.
Israel’s military campaign has focused on critical sites, including the enrichment facility at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, and a nuclear site in Isfahan. The Israeli government has strongly claimed that these attacks are worthwhile and needed to stop Iran from making progress towards a nuclear capability.
From the start of the conflict through December 2023, Israeli forces were reported to have killed at least 224 in Iran with a large civilian toll. Meanwhile, civilian fatalities in Israel have surpassed 24. We must not ignore the violence’s horrible humanitarian impact and the many children who have paid for this violence with their lives.
Additionally, Israeli military officials have continuously called on residents to evacuate. This alert in particular focuses on communities near the heavy water reactor in Arak and Khondab. On Thursday morning, government-controlled Fars News reported that Israeli strikes had hit the Arak heavy water reactor. This facility alone has attracted wide international attention.
Iranian missile attacks on various targets in Israel have been a direct response to the mounting warfare. Another major hit, perhaps the biggest target, was the Soroka Hospital. According to reports from the Israeli foreign ministry, a ballistic missile struck the hospital, which serves as a critical medical center for the Negev region.
“BREAKING: A direct hit has been reported at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, southern Israel. More details to follow.” – The foreign ministry
The destruction wreaked on Soroka Hospital even caused the hospital’s own spokesperson to weigh in.
“We are currently assessing the damage, including injuries. We ask the public not to come to the hospital at this time.” – A spokesperson for Soroka Hospital
Israeli officials claimed that at least 32 people were injured as a result of the latest Iranian missile strikes. Missile impacts leveled high-rise buildings and residential structures within Tel Aviv itself. This marked escalation raises immediate and grave concerns related to civilian safety amidst continued military operations.
The conflict’s toll has drawn international attention. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed alarm over Israeli strikes that “are increasingly targeting sites unrelated to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs,” warning of a rising number of civilian casualties as a result.
“Increasingly targeting sites unrelated to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs.” – Emmanuel Macron
Initially, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decried the Iranian missile strikes, calling them acts of aggression against civilians.
“This morning, Iran’s ‘terrorist tyrants’ launched missiles at Soroka hospital in Beersheba and at a civilian population in central Israel.” – Benjamin Netanyahu
With instability still brewing, countries like the Philippines have started to evacuate their nationals from Israel. Just today, the Philippine embassy has evacuated its 21 Jordanian-embedded officials. At the moment, they are beginning to plan repatriation flights for migrant workers within the next few days. They further assured help is being extended to the remaining 74 Filipinos in Israel.
Against this backdrop of rising tensions, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued an ominous warning to foreign players—not to intervene.
“The Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.” – Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Former U.S. President Donald Trump previously warned about Iran’s nuclear capabilities, stating that “Iran was a few weeks away from having a nuclear weapon,” highlighting concerns that have driven international discourse surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.