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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-19 at 10:05
HEADLINES
Iran launches missile attack on Israel injuring 147 civilians
Israel targets Iran’s Arak reactor in retaliation escalation
US prepares weekend strikes amid rising Iran-Israel tensions
The time is now 06:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At six a.m., there are urgent developments from the region. Iran launched a missile attack targeting multiple sites within Israel, striking at least seven locations, including the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, which suffered a direct hit. The attack injured over 147 people, with six in serious condition—four in Holon and two in Ramat Gan. Emergency services evacuated dozens, including a 96-year-old woman in critical condition. The Israeli military reports that its air force targeted Iran’s Arak nuclear reactor, a site believed to be used for plutonium production, in retaliation.
In response to the missile strikes, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has vowed that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, will be held accountable for these actions. The government has ordered increased strikes against strategic Iranian targets, emphasizing that the attack on the Soroka hospital and residential areas constitutes war crimes. Furthermore, Israeli officials have declared their intent to work to undermine the Iranian regime, with the Prime Minister indicating that military measures may escalate further if necessary.
Meanwhile, the conflict has intensified on the northern front. A missile fragment the size of a bus fell in a central Israeli town in Samaria, prompting calls for urgent protection measures. Local officials have criticized the lack of sufficient fortifications and bomb shelters, especially in vulnerable settlements. A recent report from the State Comptroller highlights that over 2.6 million Israelis lack proper protected spaces, with many communities unshielded from missile threats. A recent ballistic missile debris landing in Samaria underscores the danger to civilians, especially in areas without adequate defenses.
From the international arena, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has expressed a desire for a ceasefire in Iran, claiming that nothing has happened to Iran’s nuclear facilities—contradicting reports from the IDF and international agencies that damage has been extensive. Putin called for all parties to reach an agreement that ensures Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear activities while guaranteeing Israel’s security. Russia has proposed options such as Iran transferring uranium to Russia for civilian use, but Iran maintains its right to uranium enrichment, complicating diplomatic efforts.
US military preparations are underway for possible action against Iran. Sources indicate that senior officials have developed contingency plans for a weekend strike targeting Iranian nuclear sites, including the Fordow facility. President Trump has privately authorized attack options but has not yet issued an order, citing the need for careful timing amid the fluid situation. The US has also been concerned about maritime traffic in the Gulf, with threats of potential targeting of US assets.
On the diplomatic front, tensions extend beyond the battlefield. A senior US Army officer was removed from his position after posting inflammatory comments on social media, including calling Israel a “death cult” and defending Hamas’s Gaza Health Ministry, which is accused of manipulating casualty figures. The Department of Defense reaffirmed that such views do not reflect official policy and emphasized the importance of discipline within the military.
In Israel, the situation remains tense. The Home Front Command reports that several missiles struck in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas, with injuries reported across the region. The government has closed the Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva to all but life-threatening cases after it was hi
Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago