The remarks came after a fresh wave of Iranian missile attacks wounded at least 240 people, striking residential buildings in Tel Aviv and damaging a major hospital in southern Israel.
“The military understands that achieving its objectives means this man \[Khamenei] cannot be allowed to continue existing,” Gallant was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
In retaliation, Israeli forces launched another round of attacks on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, targeting the Arak heavy water reactor — a vital facility in Iran’s nuclear development. Iranian state media later reported that the plant had been evacuated ahead of the strike and assured that there was no risk of radiation exposure.
Meanwhile, speculation is mounting that former U.S. President Donald Trump could decide within the next two weeks whether to authorize direct military action against Iran. While still hopeful that diplomatic efforts could meet U.S. and Israeli demands over Iran’s nuclear programme, sources say Trump is weighing military options carefully.
In Gaza, the conflict also continues to escalate. An Israeli airstrike on the Shati Refugee Camp in northern Gaza killed 19 people, including three children and five women, and injured more than 70 others, according to Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiyah, director of Shifa Hospital. He said the strike hit a group of civilians.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that bombardments, gunfire, and shelling persisted across the Gaza Strip, even in areas where civilians gathered to receive food aid.
Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis is operating far beyond its capacity. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the facility took in over 300 injured patients on Wednesday alone, primarily from food distribution sites. A WHO-supported tent initially meant for pediatric and surgical care is now being used as a packed trauma ward, holding 100 patients in a space designed for 88.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported on Thursday that 69 people, including two whose bodies were recently recovered, had died in the past 24 hours. An additional 221 people were injured. Since the outbreak of war in October 2023, at least 55,706 people have been killed in Gaza, and over 130,000 injured.
In southern Israel, staff at Soroka Medical Center confirmed that part of the hospital was damaged by the Iranian missile attack. Fortunately, many vulnerable patients had been moved to the basement earlier in the week, a move that likely saved lives.
“The beds those patients were lying in are now destroyed,” said Dr. Dana Braiman. The area had previously served as a kindergarten for hospital workers’ children but was repurposed for emergency care. Hospital officials say efforts are underway to relocate more patients to safer locations.
On the diplomatic front, international actors are pushing for calm. Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday.
Both reiterated their opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and emphasized the need for a Gaza ceasefire and the restoration of full humanitarian aid. According to Italy’s Foreign Ministry, Rubio affirmed that achieving these goals remains a top priority for the Trump administration.
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