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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-06-19 at 12:04
HEADLINES
1. Israel Launches Bold Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
2. Iranian Missile Hits Beersheva Hospital, 147 Wounded
3. Israel Vows Full Retaliation Against Iran’s Aggression
The time is now 08:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 8:00 AM, the situation remains tense across Israel and the broader Middle East. Israeli Defense Forces continue their targeted operations against Iranian military infrastructure, including recent strikes on strategic facilities in Iran, such as the heavy water reactor in Arak and missile production sites, with over 100 guided munitions launched overnight. These actions aim to impede Iran’s nuclear ambitions and military capabilities amid escalating hostilities.
In Israel, the impact of Iranian missile attacks is evident. This morning, a ballistic missile fired by Iran struck Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva, causing significant damage and a rising number of casualties; reports indicate at least 147 wounded. Emergency teams are actively evacuating and treating patients, including children, with multiple hospitals across the country now caring for those injured. Smoke continues to billow from Soroka, which suffered a direct hit on the old surgical building, contrary to Iranian claims that nearby military facilities were targeted.
Israeli military officials are investigating whether a recent Iranian missile, potentially a cluster munition composed of several smaller missiles, was responsible for dispersing fragments across central Israel, including in Or Yehuda, Jaffa, and Savyon. The IDF is also examining whether the missile was a “puzzle” type, designed to fragment upon explosion. Bomb disposal units are at work at multiple fallout sites.
In response to the barrage, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have issued strong statements condemning Iran’s leadership. Katz described Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a "modern Hitler" whose days are numbered, emphasizing that eliminating such a dictator aligns with Israel’s operational objectives. Netanyahu vowed to hold Iran accountable, stating that Israel will exact a "full price" from Tehran.
Meanwhile, Israeli aircraft have carried out extensive overnight strikes in Iran, targeting nuclear-related sites such as the Arak heavy water reactor—believed to be a key component of Iran’s plutonium program—and missile manufacturing facilities in Natanz and elsewhere. These attacks aim to degrade Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure further, with the International Atomic Energy Agency confirming that the targeted facilities do not currently contain nuclear materials, thus posing no radiation threat.
The conflict has also extended into southern Syria, where the Daraa province has become a major repository for Iranian UAVs, reflecting Iran’s expanding presence and logistical operations in the region. The situation remains volatile, with Iran’s foreign minister planning to meet with European counterparts in Geneva to address ongoing tensions.
On the diplomatic front, Iran’s foreign minister announced plans to meet with British, German, and French officials, signaling ongoing international engagement amid the crisis. However, the regional atmosphere remains fraught, with Pakistan’s Pakistani students and residents in Iran fleeing the conflict zones, describing nights filled with drone and missile activity, and scenes of Tehran’s cityscape turned into a virtual ghost town.
The Israeli government continues its defensive measures, including a partial reopening of shops and hospitals, and the evacuation of patients from affected medical facilities. The government and military are preparing for possible further escalation, with US officials reportedly considering potential military options against Iran, as tensions threaten to spill over into a broader regional con
Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago