In a deeply escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has issued the most direct and severe statement to date, saying that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “cannot continue to exist.” This came hours after a missile strike hit Soroka Medical Centre in southern Israel, injuring at least 40 civilians and prompting urgent evacuations.

The conflict, now in its seventh day, began with a surprise wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, senior military leaders, and ballistic missile assets. In response, Iran has launched more than 400 missiles and hundreds of drones toward Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Beersheba, and Ramat Gan, resulting in dozens of casualties and damage to key infrastructure.

Katz’s Statement on Khamenei

While touring Holon, a city impacted by Iranian missile strikes, Defence Minister Israel Katz declared:

“A dictator like Khamenei, who heads a country like Iran and has made the destruction of Israel his mission, cannot continue to exist. The IDF has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist.”

The unprecedented statement marks a dramatic escalation in Israeli rhetoric and signals a potential shift in military doctrine—moving from counter-strikes to direct leadership targeting.

Hospital Under Fire: Soroka Medical Centre Hit

The Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba was struck early Thursday morning by an Iranian missile. According to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service, 40 people were wounded, though no deaths were reported. The main impact zone was an old surgery building that had already been evacuated, preventing further fatalities.

Emergency medical teams swiftly evacuated patients. Due to the damage, the hospital has restricted services to only life-threatening cases. Soroka is a vital regional healthcare facility, housing over 1,000 beds and serving approximately one million residents in southern Israel.

Netanyahu Condemns Attack, Promises Response

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the hospital strike and reiterated Israel’s retaliatory position:

“We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran.”

He further emphasized the contrast between Israel's precision targeting of military and nuclear assets, and Iran’s targeting of civilian locations, including hospitals and schools.

Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Program Continue

As part of its Operation Rising Lion, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed new attacks on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor, a key facility in Tehran’s nuclear program. The Arak site is believed to produce plutonium by-products, which could be weaponized if Iran moves towards a bomb.

Israel’s multi-pronged strategy aims to cripple Iran’s nuclear capability while simultaneously pressuring its leadership through airstrikes and international condemnation.

U.S. Involvement: Trump’s Veto and Strategic Ambiguity

According to U.S. officials, President Donald Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei, citing the need for restraint and diplomatic options. However, in a later statement, Trump added:

“There are no plans to kill him, at least not for now.”

This remark has fueled speculation that the U.S. might reverse its position depending on developments on the ground and Iran’s next steps.

Casualties and Destruction in Iran and Israel

As per a Washington-based Iranian human rights group, the Israeli air campaign has caused 639 deaths in Iran, including 263 civilians, and injured over 1,300. Meanwhile, Iran’s missile attacks have killed 24 people in Israel and injured hundreds, disrupting essential services and forcing mass evacuations.

In Israel, air raid sirens have become a daily norm, with missile strikes affecting Ramat Gan, Holon, Tel Aviv, and Beersheba. Hospitals have enacted emergency protocols, converting underground parking lots into makeshift wards, and securing critical care patients in bomb shelters.

Iran's Ongoing Missile Campaign

Iran has shown no signs of slowing down. In the latest offensive, missiles and drones targeted:

• Ben Gurion International Airport

• Tel Aviv’s power grid

• Critical infrastructure across southern Israel

The IDF claims to have intercepted most missiles using its Iron Dome and David’s Sling defence systems, but acknowledged that several projectiles breached the defences, especially in densely populated urban areas.

Civilian and Infrastructure Impact

Aside from the medical impact, the attacks have triggered a humanitarian crisis in both countries:

• Schools, airports, and businesses across Israel remain closed.

• Flight operations are suspended in many parts of the Middle East.

• Foreign governments, including India, Australia, and the UK, are actively evacuating their citizens.

In Iran, public protests have broken out in several cities, with citizens demanding clarity from the leadership and access to emergency medical services, now overwhelmed by casualties and damage.

Underground Infrastructure and Preparedness

Thanks to years of preparation, Israel has activated its subterranean blood bank and mobile trauma units, which were first deployed after Hamas’ 2023 attack. These resources are now playing a crucial role in Israel’s response to civilian casualties and mass hospital overflows.

International Response: Diplomatic Push and Fear of Escalation

While European foreign ministers from Germany, France, and the UK are meeting with Iranian diplomats in Geneva, hopes for diplomacy remain faint.

“This is no longer just about a nuclear program—it’s about regional survival,” said one European diplomat anonymously.

There are growing fears that this Israel–Iran conflict could spill over into neighbouring countries, triggering a broader Middle Eastern war.

Conclusion: A Crisis on the Brink of Expansion

Israel’s open call for the removal of Iran’s supreme leader is a historic moment in the region’s decades-long hostility. The direct targeting of Ayatollah Khamenei, even if rhetorical at this stage, could set the stage for a new era of military confrontations, one where state leaders themselves are not off-limits.

As missiles continue to rain down and diplomatic efforts falter, the global community faces the pressing need to intervene diplomatically before the conflict spirals beyond containment.

Whether Trump’s two-week decision window brings diplomatic resolution or war, the next few days may define the future of the Middle East.

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