Iran says Israeli military base, not hospital, was missile target

Iran has said the main target of a missile strike that hit a hospital in southern Israel was a nearby military and intelligence base, not the medical facility itself.

A hospital in southern Israel and two towns near Tel Aviv were struck after a barrage of Iranian missiles. Israeli emergency services say more than 40 people have been injured.

"The main target of the attack was the Israeli Army Command and Intelligence Base (IDF C4I) and the Army Intelligence Camp in Gav-Yam Technology Park, located in the vicinity of the Soroka Hospital," Iran's state news agency IRNA reported Thursday.

It added that the hospital was "exposed only to the blast wave" and described the intended target as a military facility.

A hospital spokesperson said there had been "damage to the hospital and extensive damage in various areas. We are currently assessing the damage, including injuries. We ask the public not to come to the hospital at this time."

Israel has said Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will be "held accountable" after an Iranian strike on an Israeli hospital.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the Israeli military "to intensify strikes against strategic targets in Iran and against the power infrastructure in Tehran."

"These are some of the most serious war crimes, and Khamenei will be held accountable for his actions," Katz said. He added that the strikes aim "to eliminate the threats to the state of Israel and to shake the Ayatollahs' regime."

The statement comes amid heightened tensions following the attack, which has prompted condemnation and fears of further escalation.

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