Middle East Crisis Israel vs Iran

Israel attacks new facility – Israeli hospital hit by rocket

A new wave of Israeli attacks on targets in Tehran and other parts of Iran was carried out overnight, the Israeli military said, according to several media outlets. Among other things, a facility for producing heavy water was attacked, writes AP, citing state-run Iranian media.

Before the attack, Israel urged people near the Arak facility to leave their homes. Iran also states that the facility itself was empty of people when the attack was carried out. In addition to the Arak reactor, a facility for developing nuclear weapons in the Natanz area was hit, according to the Israeli military.

At the same time, Iran has fired a new wave of rockets at Israel. According to Haaretz, a hospital in southern Israel has been hit and suffered extensive damage, and people are being urged not to go there. Two people were seriously injured in the attack and 40 have minor injuries, writes Sky News, citing Israeli authorities.

Heavy explosions have been heard in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. AFP's Jerusalem correspondent describes the explosions there as the most powerful so far during the war.

Netanyahu condemns attack on hospital: "The tyrants in Tehran will pay"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemns Iran's attack on civilians at the Soroka hospital in southern Israel, writes Reuters.

- We will exact a full price from the tyrants in Tehran, he says, according to the news agency.

The Israeli hospital was directly hit by a ballistic missile from Iran and the building suffered "extensive damage", according to local authorities. The hospital is described as the main hospital in southern Israel. Two people were seriously injured and 40 are being treated for minor injuries, writes Sky News.

According to state media in Iran, the target of the attack was the Israel Defense Forces' command and intelligence headquarters, next to the hospital.

Jews Support Decision to Attack – But Arabs Do Not

The population of Israel largely supports the government’s decision to attack Iran, according to a survey by the Israel Democracy Institute reported by Haaretz. However, there are clear differences between how the Jewish and Arab populations perceive the war.

82 percent of the country’s Jews support both the attack on Iran and its timing, according to the survey. Another 10 percent support the attack, but do not appreciate the timing after more than 600 days of war in Gaza.

Among Arabs in Israel, the picture is different. Only 11 percent say they support the decision to attack Iran now. 12.5 percent agree, but think the timing is wrong – and a full 65 percent completely oppose the decision to attack.

The majority in both groups say they are worried about their own or their families' safety in the near future.