Israel attacks Iranian nuclear sites, missile damages Israeli hospital

Israel struck a key Iranian nuclear site on Thursday and Iranian missiles hit an Israeli hospital as the air war between the two countries entered the seventh day.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it was targeting Israeli military and intelligence headquarters near Soroka medical centre in the city of Beersheba in the south of the country. 

Several Iranian missiles struck populated areas in Israel, including a hospital in the southern part of the country, according to an Israeli military official.

Buildings were extensively damaged in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, a key commercial hub home to high-rise towers, and emergency workers helping residents, including children.

The blast caused significant damage to nearby residential buildings and shattered windows across the area.

Emergency services said five people had been seriously injured in the attacks and dozens of others hurt in three separate locations. People were still trapped in a building in a south Tel Aviv neighbourhood, they added. 

Around a dozen mostly European and African embassies and diplomatic missions are located just a few hundred metres from the strike on Tel Aviv.

Trails of missiles and interception efforts were visible in the skies over Tel Aviv, with explosions heard as incoming projectiles were intercepted. Israeli media also reported direct hits in central Israel.

The Israeli military said it targeted the Khondab nuclear reactor in Iran's central city Arak overnight, including a partially-built heavy-water research reactor. Israel's military said it also struck a site in the area of Natanz, which it said contains components and specialised equipment used to advance nuclear weapons development.

Iranian media reported two projectiles hitting an area near the facility. There were no reports of radiation threats.

Iran has always maintained that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. Its Atomic Energy Organisation said Israel had attacked its nuclear sites "in renewed violation of international law" and that there were no casualties because the areas had been evacuated.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tehran's "tyrants" would pay the "full price", while his defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had been instructed to intensify strikes on strategic-related targets in Tehran in order to destabilise the "Ayatollah regime".

Netanyahu has said that Israel's military attacks could topple the regime in Iran, and Israel would do whatever is necessary to remove the "existential threat" posed by Tehran.

A week of Israeli air and missile strikes against its major rival has wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command, damaged its nuclear capabilities and killed hundreds of people, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed at least two dozen civilians in Israel.

The worst-ever conflict between the two regional powers has raised fears that it will draw in world powers and further destabilise the Middle East.