Iranian Missiles Damage Hospital In Southern Israel

On Thursday morning, several Iranian missiles struck populated areas in Israel. This includes a hospital in the southern part of the country, according to an Israeli military official.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it was targeting Israeli military and intelligence headquarters near Soroka medical centre in the city of Beersheba in the south of the country. Soroka reported it had sustained damage.

Trails of Iranian missiles and interception efforts were visible in the skies over Tel Aviv. Explosions were heard as incoming projectiles were intercepted. Israeli media also reported direct hits in central Israel.

Emergency services said five people had been seriously injured in the attacks and dozens of others hurt in three separate locations. People were still trapped in a building in a south Tel Aviv neighbourhood, they added.

Around a dozen mostly European and African embassies and diplomatic missions are located just a few hundred metres from the strike on Tel Aviv.

Buildings were extensively damaged in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv. This is a key commercial hub home to high-rise towers, and emergency workers helping residents, including children. The blast caused significant damage to nearby residential buildings and shattered windows across the area.

“It’s very scary,” said Yaniv, 34, who lives just a few hundred meters away. He said he heard a deafening explosion when the missile hit, shaking his apartment tower.

The worst-ever conflict between the two regional powers has raised fears that it will draw in world powers and further destabilize the Middle East.

Oil prices surged after Israel said it attacked Iranian nuclear sites overnight. This is as investors grapple with fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East that could disrupt crude supplies.

Israel, which has the most advanced military in the Middle East, has been fighting on several fronts since the Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas’ attack triggered the Gaza war, which has spilled over across the region.

It has pounded Iran’s regional allies, the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. It has conducted fierce military campaigns and assassinations of their top leaders, and bombed Yemen’s Houthis.