Israel has conducted an airstrike on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor, according to Iranian state television reports on Thursday. The broadcast claimed that the facility posed "no radiation danger whatsoever" and that it had been evacuated prior to the attack. Earlier in the day, Israel warned the public to evacuate the area surrounding the facility, indicating a serious escalation in tensions.
This marks Israel’s seventh day of airstrikes against Iran, which intensified following a defiant response from Iran's Supreme Leader, who dismissed U.S. calls for surrender and asserted that any military action from the United States would inflict "irreparable damage" upon them. Additionally, Israel appeared to relax certain restrictions on daily life, suggesting that the immediate missile threat from Iran was diminishing.
In the context of these evolving hostilities, China has announced plans to assist its citizens in evacuating from Israel. The Chinese Embassy in Israel stated it would begin organizing group evacuations via bus to the Taba border crossing to Egypt, starting Friday. A notice on the embassy’s WeChat account urged Chinese citizens to register online for the evacuation.
On the battlefield, Iranian missile strikes targeted Israel on Thursday morning, reportedly resulting in a "direct hit" on a medical building, as reported by rescue workers. The details of the attack remain unclear, but preliminary reports indicated that the medical facility and nearby residential buildings suffered damage. The extent of casualties from this incident has yet to be determined.
Additionally, the Indonesian government has announced plans to evacuate its citizens from Iran amidst the increasing intensity of Israeli airstrikes. Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sugiono, reported that approximately 386 Indonesians—primarily students—are located in Iran, mainly in Qom. The Indonesian government has also acknowledged the presence of roughly 194 citizens in Israel, most of whom are student interns. Earlier in the week, Indonesia issued a joint statement with 23 other countries, condemning Israel's attacks on Iran.
Amidst these developments, a report from a Washington-based human rights group has stated that Israeli airstrikes on Iran have resulted in at least 639 deaths and 1,329 injuries. The report detailed that of those killed, 263 were civilians and 154 belonged to security forces. The organization known as Human Rights Activists has utilized a network of local sources to gather this information, although Iran itself has not regularly updated its own casualty figures during the ongoing conflict.
On the diplomatic front, a U.S. official revealed that there are currently no plans for the United States to participate in nuclear talks between senior European diplomats and Iran set to take place in Geneva. However, the official acknowledged that this stance might change as military hostilities escalate. This reflects a broader dynamic in which European nations, eager to engage in negotiations, have been limited in their efforts due to U.S. position.
