Hospital Hit and Reactor Struck as Trump Mulls Iran Action

In the seventh day of exchanges, Iranian missiles pounded southern Israel on June 19, striking the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba and nearby residential areas. At least 240 people were hurt largely lightly, as well as dozens of patients and hospital workers after sirens wailed and the hospital's older surgery building, which had already been emptied, took the hit.

Israel retaliated swiftly with bombing missions against several Iranian nuclear and military installations. Warplanes struck the Arak heavy water reactor demolishing equipment used in the production of plutonium while Iran's state media assured that there was "no radiation risk" and that the plant had already been evacuated beforehand. Strikes on enrichment and research facilities at Khondab, Natanz, Fordo and Bushehr followed, underlining Israel's determination to dismantle Tehran's nuclear program.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz held Iran's Supreme Leader personally accountable, stating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "absolutely should not remain alive" after masterminding the missile strike. Khamenei, for his part, urged Iranians to demonstrate "strength" and declared Israel was "being punished right now" for its strikes.

In Washington, President Donald Trump has so far restrained from commanding U.S. military action but indicated he would be making a final decision on joining Israel in fighting "within the next two weeks," even as European foreign ministers gather in Geneva to pursue diplomatic avenues.

Global health and rights groups have criticized the impact on civilians: the World Health Organization condemned the targeting of hospitals by both sides, and Saudi Arabia labelled targeting of civilian nuclear plants a violation of international law. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights warned against allowing noncombatants to be reduced to "collateral damage," calling for utmost restraint on all parties.

With Hezbollah deterred and threats looming over the Strait of Hormuz, the risk of a wider regional war is more imminent than ever before, with each side vowing to push its limit and forestall any nuclear showdown.