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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-19 at 09:05
HEADLINES
Iran missile strikes devastate Israeli hospitals and civilians
Israel vows to hold Iran’s leaders accountable for terror
Global powers brace as Iran’s military resilience escalates
The time is now 05:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At five a.m., the situation across Israel remains tense and complex. This morning, a missile attack inflicted significant damage and casualties in several Israeli cities, notably Beersheba and Holon. The Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba was struck by an Iranian ballistic missile, resulting in extensive damage to the hospital’s old surgical wing and forcing the evacuation of many patients. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported, though dozens of injuries, including a woman in her nineties, have been confirmed. Medical teams are transferring patients to other hospitals such as Barzilai, Hadassah, and Sheba, as the hospital remains operational only for life-threatening emergencies. The Israeli Home Front Command has been actively scanning all affected facilities, and the military is prepared for further escalations.
In response to the missile strikes, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has vowed to hold Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, personally accountable for these acts of terror. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Iran’s “terrorist tyrants” for targeting civilian infrastructure and reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to exact “the full price” from Tehran’s regime. President Isaac Herzog highlighted the brutal nature of the attacks, emphasizing that Iran deliberately targeted civilians, including vulnerable populations in hospitals and nursing homes. Opposition figures like Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz have condemned Iran’s actions, stressing that Israel’s military responses are aimed solely at dismantling Iran’s threatening missile and nuclear capabilities, not at civilian populations.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military continues to strike strategic targets within Iran and its proxies, with recent reports indicating increased activity against missile sites and military infrastructure. The Iranian regime’s military wing, the Revolutionary Guards, has issued defiant statements, claiming their missile and defense systems are now resilient and capable of withstanding Western and Israeli efforts. Iran’s leadership, including newly appointed General Mohammed Karamy as the Ground Forces Commander of the Revolutionary Guards, signals an intent to escalate their regional presence and military strength.
The conflict has also prompted international reactions. The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister has indicated that if former US President Donald Trump chooses to attack Iran, Britain might be compelled to join. Discussions are underway between US and allied officials, including a meeting scheduled between Marco Rubio and the British Foreign Secretary. The US continues to monitor the situation closely, with some military officials expressing concern over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile capabilities. A recent incident involved SpaceX’s Starship 36 rocket exploding during testing in Texas, an unrelated event but indicative of ongoing technological challenges.
In the political arena, US Senator Bernie Sanders has publicly criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership, asserting that Israel’s actions are not the United States’ business and emphasizing that American foreign policy should not be influenced by Israeli interests. Conversely, Senator Ted Cruz defended the US-Israel alliance, dismissing claims that organizations like AIPAC exert undue foreign influence, and fiercely opposing claims of antisemitism linked to criticism of pro-Israel lobbying efforts.
On the diplomatic front, Hezbollah issued a strong statement condemning threats against Iran’s Supreme Leader, emphasizing Iran’s significant stature in the Islamic world and warni
Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago