Iranian missile attacks early Thursday left more than 240 people injured in Israel, including four seriously, while causing widespread damage across multiple locations. One missile struck a major hospital in southern Israel, shattering windows and filling the area with thick black smoke, although no life-threatening injuries were reported, according to the hospital.
Other projectiles hit a residential high-rise in Tel Aviv and additional sites in central Israel. Israel’s Health Ministry confirmed that 240 people sustained injuries in the attacks.
In response, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei personally responsible and declared that Israeli forces have been directed to act decisively. “The military has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist,” he said.
Meanwhile, Israel retaliated by striking Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, a key site within its nuclear infrastructure. Iranian state TV reported that the facility had been evacuated before the strike and there was “no radiation danger whatsoever.”
Canada Assists Citizens Evacuating from Conflict Zones
The Canadian government announced plans to support the evacuation of its citizens from Israel and Iran. Once Canadian nationals reach neighboring countries, they will be provided with transportation assistance. Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa is deeply concerned about the intensifying conflict and is arranging commercial evacuation options for Canadians in Israel, the West Bank, and Iran.
Houthi Leader Applauds Iran’s Actions
Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen’s Houthi movement, addressed the situation in a televised statement Thursday, calling the Israeli military response to Iran a regional threat. He praised Iran’s “effective response,” stating it had placed Israel in an unprecedented position of vulnerability.
“The enemy hoped to achieve a major accomplishment through this aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, but it failed, and the failure of this aggression clearly resulted in losses and damage,” said al-Houthi. He dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments urging Iran’s unconditional surrender as “nonsense and madness,” and pledged that Houthi operations targeting Israel, including maritime actions, would continue.
Iranian strikes injure dozens across Israel; Israel targets Arak Nuclear Facility
Thousands of Israelis Return via Cyprus
Approximately 2,400 Israelis stranded abroad are now sailing home from Cyprus aboard a cruise ship that departed from Limassol port on Thursday. These travelers had originally diverted to Cyprus after their flights to Israel were grounded due to the missile attacks. Cyprus became a critical transit hub for both foreign nationals and Israelis seeking safe passage.
Cyprus’ Chief Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin said that around 6,500 Israelis were in Cyprus, which has played a crucial role in repatriation efforts.
Nationwide Internet Blackout Continues in Iran
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that Iran’s national internet blackout has persisted for over 24 hours as of Thursday afternoon. The shutdown is the most severe since the mass protests in November 2019, hampering communications and information flow both inside and outside the country.
Israel Says Iran Used Multi-Warhead Missiles
The Israeli military revealed that Iran used a missile equipped with multiple warheads in its recent attacks, posing a serious new challenge to Israeli air defenses. Such missiles can bypass conventional systems like the Iron Dome by deploying several warheads simultaneously. Independent verification of the claim is not yet available.
Russia Concerned About Its Nuclear Plant and Workers in Iran
Russia expressed grave concern over the safety of its personnel and infrastructure in Iran, especially at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which was built with Russian assistance. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova highlighted risks to the Russian staff working there.
President Vladimir Putin confirmed that over 200 Russians are involved in the ongoing construction of additional reactors at the site. “We agreed with the Israeli leadership that their security will be ensured,” he stated.
Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev said that some Russian workers had already been evacuated from Bushehr and warned that more could be withdrawn if necessary. He cautioned that an Israeli strike on Bushehr could lead to a catastrophe on the scale of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, expressing hope that Israel would avoid such an outcome.
Israel: Iran Has Fired 450 Missiles and 1,000 Drones
An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously under regulations, stated that Iran has launched about 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel so far. While most of these were fired directly from Iran, some originated from allied groups, including within Iraq.
Iranian missiles hit Israeli hospital and stock exchange
He added that Israeli operations began in western Iran and have since moved toward Tehran and central regions, with strikes now expanding into eastern Iran. Asked about potential U.S. actions, he said, “What Americans do or will not do is up to them, we have our plan and are operating according to it.”
Source: With inputs from agency