Latest news with #Beersheva
LBCI
13 hours ago
- Health
- LBCI
Missile strike on Tel Aviv triggers Israeli threats against Iran's Supreme Leader — the details
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Mariella Succar A wave of Iranian missiles struck southern and central Israel early Thursday, including Tel Aviv, leaving at least 200 people injured and causing widespread damage to residential buildings and infrastructure. The attack triggered scenes of destruction and panic across the country, with many Israelis describing it as an unprecedented moment of fear and anxiety. The scale of the strike prompted Israeli leaders to escalate their threats against Tehran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed to the targeting of Soroka Medical Center in the southern city of Be'er Sheva as justification for intensifying Israeli strikes on Iran. The threats came amid scenes of chaos across the country, after air raid sirens reportedly failed to activate in Tel Aviv and several other areas. According to military estimates, one of the missiles that exploded over central Israel was equipped with a cluster warhead, dispersing smaller explosive submunitions across several areas near Tel Aviv, including Jaffa, Or Yehuda, and Gush Dan. Israeli officials believe the use of such warheads serves two purposes: first, to relieve pressure on Iranian cities facing Israeli bombardment; and second, to increase psychological pressure on the Israeli public by targeting civilian areas and a major hospital—moves aimed at fueling demands within Israel to end the war. While reports initially suggested that a missile hit the hospital directly, several Israeli experts clarified that it landed nearby. Had it struck the hospital itself, they said, the number of casualties would have been far higher. Despite the attacks, the Israeli military remains committed to continuing its operations as it awaits a U.S. response. Defense officials are also pressing for an $8.5 billion boost in the military budget to restock weapons and sustain the war effort.
National Post
21 hours ago
- Health
- National Post
Iranian missile hits hospital in Israel
At least six people were seriously wounded by an Iranian missile barrage on Israel on Thursday morning. Beersheva's Soroka Medical Center sustained a direct hit, and impacts were also reported in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Holon. Article content Four serious injuries were caused by a direct hit on a residential building in Holon, south of Tel Aviv, according to Wolfson Medical Center. The hospital said it was also treating 19 people listed in mild condition. Article content Article content Article content As of Thursday afternoon, the number of injured stood at more than 200, including at least 147 in the greater Tel Aviv region and around 60 in Beersheva. The figures include those injured while running to shelters, individuals suffering from anxiety, and hurt people who arrived independently at hospitals. Article content In addition to Wolfson and Soroka, victims were evacuated for treatment to Ichilov, Sheba, Beilinson, Assaf Harofeh, Barzilai, Mayanei Hayeshua, Assuta, and Schneider medical facilities. Shrapnel severely damaged the home of former Health Minister Dan Naveh in Savyon, southeast of Ramat Gan. The president and CEO of Israel Bonds is on a fundraising trip in the United States, but he told Channel 12 News that his children were at home and survived unharmed. Article content 'Our home suffered severe damage today. Thank God, the three children were together in the safe room and are OK; they were truly saved by a miracle. I was on a video call with the children when the explosion was heard—there were many moments of anxiety,' he said, adding, 'We are in an important existential war, and our spirit is strong.' Article content Article content The barrage, composed of some 30 ballistic missiles, was the heaviest launched by the Islamic Republic in nearly 48 hours. Article content Article content Emergency teams were responding at several sites, searching for wounded and treating several individuals for minor injuries, according to the Magen David Adom emergency medical service. In total, 22 individuals with mild injuries were being transported to hospitals. Article content Following direct missile strikes on residential buildings in central Israel, United Hatzalah volunteers provided initial treatment to three women in serious condition, two men in moderate condition, and more than 50 additional people who sustained mild injuries, including many suffering from emotional shock.
Forbes
a day ago
- Health
- Forbes
Israel To ‘Intensify Strikes' After Iranian Missile Hits Hospital (Live)
Israeli officials on Thursday said they moving to intensify strikes on 'strategic targets' in Iran, after a barrage of Iranian missiles injured dozens across the country and caused damage to a hospital building, as the conflict between the two countries continued to intensify while President Donald Trump left open the possibility the U.S. military striking Iran's nuclear facilities. June 19, 4 a.m. ETIranian state media claimed the main target of the missile attack which damaged a hospital in southern Israel was the 'vast command and intelligence base' of the Israeli military's C4i tech and communications unit and 'the campus of their military intelligence, located in the Gav-Yam technology park.' The hospital which was struck appears to be located less than two miles away from the Gav-Yam technology park. 3:30 a.m. ETIsrael's Defense Minister Israel Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ordered the country's military to 'intensify strikes against strategic targets' in Iran after the latest wave of missile attacks. Katz accused the Iranian Supreme Leader of committing the 'gravest of war crimes' and said 'The cowardly Iranian dictator sits in the depths of the fortified bunker and fires aimed shots at hospitals and residential buildings in Israel.' 3 a.m. ETThe Soroka Medical Center, a hospital in the southern Israeli city of Be'er Sheva was struck by an Iranian missile which caused 'extensive damage' but no serious injuries, according to authorities in Israel. The strike was the first time a hospital in Israel was struck by an Iranian missile since the conflict between the two countries began last week. Overall 65 people were injured across Israel in the latest barrage of missile strikes launched by Iran. June 18, 4:48 p.m. ETThe State Department is conducting the evacuations of nonessential diplomats, the Associated Press reported, noting diplomats were authorized to leave at the government's expense Wednesday (Forbes has reached out to the State Department for comment). June 18, 2:45 p.m. ETSome embassy personnel were evacuated from Israel via U.S. military aircraft, according to CNN, which reported earlier Wednesday a full evacuation of the embassy was not ordered and diplomats and family members were not required to leave. June 18, 10:39 a.m. ETThe Iranian Mission to the U.N. said 'no Iranian official has ever asked to grovel at the gates of the White House,' in a post on X responding to Trump's claim made minutes earlier that Iran had contacted his administration, writing 'the only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to 'take out' Iran's Supreme Leader.' June 18, 10:15 said 'You don't seriously think I'm going to answer that question . . . I may do it, I may not do it, I mean nobody knows what I'm going to do,' when asked by a reporter at an unrelated White House event if the U.S. is moving closer to striking Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump said the Iranians have reached out to him and he told them 'it's very late to be talking . . . there's a big difference between now and a week ago,' referring to Iran's refusal to accept a deal with the U.S. to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon sooner. In subsequent comments, Trump said 'we're not looking for a long-term war . . . I only want one thing: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,' while also elaborating on what he meant when he called for 'unconditional surrender' a day earlier: 'That means I've had it . . . I give up, no more. Then we go blow up all the nuclear stuff that's all over the place there.' June 18, 7 to a statement delivered via Iranian state media, the Supreme Leader said his country 'stands firm against an imposed war, just as it will stand firm against an imposed peace,' adding that Iran will 'not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition,' warning any U.S. involvement in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict will undoubtedly lead to 'serious irreparable harm.' The Iranian leader also addressed President Trump's comments on Tuesday calling for Iran's 'unconditional surrender,' saying those who know his country's history 'know that Iranians do not answer well to the language of threats.' June 18, 3 attacks from both sides continued early on Wednesday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office claimed Iran has launched more than 400 missiles and hundreds of drones since Friday. June 17, 6:30 House officials told multiple outlets Trump spoke with Netanyahu on Tuesday after a meeting with national security advisors, though the details of the conversation have not been publicly reported. June 17, 6 U.S. officials cited by Axios said Trump was seriously considering entering the conflict by launching strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. June 17, 12:19 warned on Truth Social earlier Tuesday: 'We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding,' referring to Khamenei, who is increasingly isolated after Israel assassinated several of his top generals, adding Khamenei is 'safe' and 'we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,' but said 'our patience is wearing thin.' Tensions between Iran and Israel first erupted on Friday, when the Israel military carried out unilateral strikes against key nuclear facilities and killed several top Iranian generals and nuclear scientists. Netanyahu claimed Israel's attack was an act of self defense as the Iranian nuclear program posed 'a danger to Israel's very survival.' On Monday, Trump exited the G7 summit earlier than scheduled and flew back from Canada to Washington as tensions between Iran and Israel escalated, with the White House press secretary saying he left early 'because of what's going on in the Middle East.' Shortly before leaving the summit, Trump issued an ominous warning to residents of Tehran, Iran's capital, on Truth Social: 'Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON…Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!' At the time, Trump did not specify why he called for an evacuation of the city of 10 million people, but when asked later, Trump said: 'I want people to be safe…That's always possible something could happen. I just want people to be safe.' The president spoke to reporters on board Air Force One on his return to Washington and said he wanted something better than a ceasefire 'An end. A real end, not a ceasefire, an end,' and signaled that a only complete 'give up' by Iran would be acceptable. In a earlier post Trump, said: 'We now have complete and total control of the skies over had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn't compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured stuff. Nobody does it better than the good ol' USA.' In a third post Tuesday morning, Trump called for an 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!' Trump has also warned Iran against targeting U.S. personnel or assets, saying if that happens 'we'll come down so hard, it'd be gloves off...I think they know not to touch our troops.' On Monday, Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One on the way back to the U.S. from the summit in Canada he wanted to see an end to Iran's nuclear program and said he's 'not too much in the mood to negotiate now.' Trump attacked French President Emmanuel Macron on Truth Social, describing him as 'publicity seeking' after he said Trump was flying out of the G7 summit early to work out a cease fire between Israel and Iran and 'then kick-start broader discussions.' Trump said Macron 'has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire,' and claimed it was something 'Much bigger than that.' Trump departed the G7 Summit early and returned to Washington on Monday night to 'attend to many important matters,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Shortly before he left Canada, the president told reporters Iran 'want to make a deal, and as soon as I leave here, we're going to be doing something. But I have to leave here.' Fox News reported on Monday evening that Trump had asked his national security to be present in the Situation Room when he returns to the White House. A U.S. official told reporters earlier on Monday Trump would not sign a draft statement of G7 leaders, which included a call for de-escalating the Israel-Iran conflict. The president eventually agreed to sign it after some changes were made to the statement's 'initial draft language,' according to the New York Times. The final statement notes: 'We, the leaders of the G7, reiterate our commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.' The statement affirms Israel's 'right to defend itself,' describes Iran as the 'principal source of regional instability and terror,' and notes 'Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.' It also calls for a resolution of the ongoing crisis and 'a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a cease fire in Gaza.' In a post on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled he was open to talks resuming talks with the U.S. if Israel's strikes on Iran were halted. 'If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential. Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue. It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu. That may pave the way for a return to diplomacy,' he wrote. The post also attacked Netanyahu, calling him a 'war criminal.' Lawmakers Make Bipartisan Push To Restrict Trump From Going To War With Iran (Forbes) Iranian Missiles Cause 'Minor Damage' To US Embassy In Tel Aviv—Israel Targets Elite Quds Force HQ (Forbes) Israel Attacks Iranian State TV During Live Broadcast (Forbes)
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Video: Iranian missile hits former Israeli Minister's home in direct strike
ALBAWABA - On the seventh day of the conflict between Iran and Israel, an Iranian rocket hit the home of former Environment Minister Dani Naveh, who is a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party. This was a dramatic increase in the tensions. Also Read Israel's Soroka hospital hit in latest Iranian missile barrage Iran's most recent round of missile attacks, which began early Thursday morning, hit several major Israeli towns directly, including Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Holon, and Be'er Sheva. The attacks caused a lot of damage. Explosions shook cities, destroying buildings and hurting many people. One of the places that was damaged directly was the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva. The hospital had to close because so many areas were damaged so badly. Israeli Army Radio said that at least one person was seriously hurt and another was hurt moderately in Holon. In Ramat Gan, about 15 people were hurt. Damage was also done to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building in Ramat Gan. But Iranian sources said that reports that the hospital was the main target were not true. Iranian media say the missile attack was directed at a nearby center for military intelligence. It was meant to hit the IDF C4I command center and the Military Intelligence Base in the Gav-Yam Negev technology park, which is home to advanced cyber warfare systems and cyber operations infrastructure. They said the hospital was nothing more than a victim of the blast wave. Just hours before the Iranian rocket attack, Israeli planes attacked the site of the IR-40 nuclear reactor near Arak. Before Iran's reaction, the Israeli military sent out a Persian-language evacuation notice telling people to leave the area around the reactor. As the second week of the conflict goes on, both sides seem to be expanding their strategic goals. This makes people worry that the fighting will get worse in both military and civilian areas.
LBCI
12-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
US embassy in Jerusalem restricts staff movements
The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem announced Thursday it was restricting staff movements, after President Donald Trump said U.S. personnel were being moved from the potentially "dangerous" Middle East. "Due to the increased regional tensions, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (area)... Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva areas until further notice," the embassy said in a statement. Traveling between those locations, to Tel Aviv's airport, or down the highway through the West Bank to the Jordanian border would be permitted. AFP
