Thu Jun 19 10:36:36 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:
**Headline: Escalating Conflict: Iranian Missiles Hit Israeli Hospital, Israel Strikes Iranian Nuclear Sites**
**Tel Aviv, Israel** – Tensions have reached a fever pitch in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran as Iranian missiles struck civilian targets in Israel, including a major hospital, while Israel retaliated with strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear program.
Early Thursday, an Iranian missile struck Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, southern Israel, causing extensive damage and wounding several people, according to hospital officials. The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) claimed the intended target was a nearby Israeli army command and intelligence headquarters, asserting the hospital suffered only minor damage from the blast’s shockwave.
In addition to the hospital strike, missiles also hit a high-rise and other residential buildings near Tel Aviv, injuring at least 47 people, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attacks, vowing a strong response against Tehran. “We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran,” he stated.
Israel’s retaliation involved strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, specifically the Arak heavy water reactor and a site near Natanz. The Israeli military stated the Arak strike aimed to disable the reactor’s core seal and prevent the production of plutonium. Iranian state TV has stated the Arak site caused “no radiation danger whatsoever”.
These attacks mark a significant escalation in the conflict, which began a week ago with a surprise Israeli air strike targeting military sites, senior officers, and nuclear scientists within Iran.
Israel is the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East. It maintains a policy of ambiguity regarding its nuclear capabilities.
The international community is watching the situation with increasing concern, fearing a wider regional conflict.
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