The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically on Thursday, with both nations launching fresh attacks. Iran fired a missile that struck a major hospital in southern Israel, while the Israeli military retaliated by targetting key nuclear infrastructure within Iran, including the Arak reactor and facilities near Natanz.
According to Israel, its overnight operation included a strike on the core seal structure of Iran’s Arak nuclear reactor — a facility previously central to Iran’s heavy-water program. The site, also known as Khondab, once formed part of a reactor project halted under the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Iran’s Khondab Reactor Under Threat
Iranian media reported early Thursday that air defense systems were activated around the Khondab site. Two projectiles landed nearby, prompting evacuations. Authorities later confirmed there were no casualties or radiation risks, stating, “no radiation danger whatsoever.”
Although work on the Arak reactor had been stopped following the 2015 deal — with its core filled with concrete — Iran informed the UN nuclear agency of plans to restart operations in 2026. Heavy-water reactors, such as Arak, are considered proliferation risks due to their ability to produce plutonium, a potential bomb-making material.
Netanyahu Vows Harsh Response After Hospital Strike
The missile attack on Soroka Medical Center injured several people and caused structural damage. Staff and patients sought shelter during the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded with strong words: “We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed broader military objectives following the hospital strike: “The Prime Minister and I have instructed the IDF to increase the intensity of attacks against strategic targets in Iran and against government targets in Tehran in order to remove threats to the State of Israel and undermine the ayatollah’s regime.”
Missile Volleys and Civilian Toll
Iran launched an estimated 30 ballistic missiles targeting various Israeli cities. Residential buildings in central Israel were also hit, seriously injuring three people and wounding dozens more. Emergency services reported at least 65 people were injured, with several in critical condition.
Amid the unfolding crisis, reports suggest that former U.S. President Donald Trump is considering American involvement in Israeli military operations. The U.S. could potentially provide the firepower necessary to target Iran’s fortified underground nuclear sites. In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader warned of “irreparable damages” if the U.S. joins the offensive.
World Reacts to Regional Volatility
Governments around the world are responding with concern. India, Australia, and New Zealand have evacuated diplomats and citizens from both Israel and Iran as the regional conflict intensifies. European leaders have urged both sides to exercise restraint, though diplomatic progress remains elusive.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acknowledged that Iran’s heavy-water reactor site had been hit, though it said it had no conclusive evidence that the reactor itself sustained direct damage.
