Iran’s latest attacks have struck at ‘heart’ of Israel
In Israel, there was a sense that its government “might be getting things under control”, but Iran’s latest attacks have struck at the “heart” of the country, says Ori Goldberg, an Israeli political commentator.
While the missiles hit the entire country, Israeli authorities are focusing on the hospital which was hit, Soroka hospital in the country’s south, trying to send a “message that the Iranians target hospitals”, Goldberg told Al Jazeera, speaking from Tel Aviv.
“Of course, Israelis target hospitals as well. It’s important to mention that there really are very sensitive installations and headquarters very near to the hospital because Israel places its military headquarters in the midst of civilian neighbourhoods and towns,” he added.
Goldberg explained that information about attacks is not readily accessible either.
“You have to remember that just as Al Jazeera is censored and access to images is censored by Israeli authorities … Israeli citizens don’t get to see much on our official media either,” Goldberg said.
“We also operate under heavy censorship, so there are basically rumours and reports being released gradually, but it’s clear that the Iranians struck and struck in important and significant places.”
Netanyahu says Iran will pay ‘heavy price’ for missile attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Iran will “pay a heavy price” after its missile attack damaged Israel’s Soroka hospital in Be’er Sheva.
“This morning, Iran’s terrorist dictators fired missiles at Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva and at civilians in the centre of the country,” Netanyahu wrote in a post on X. “We will make the tyrants in Tehran pay a heavy price.”
Israelis ultimately in support of war with Iran
The more Israel is attacked by Iran, “the easier it is for the Israeli government to harp on themes like national resilience”, says Ori Goldberg, an Israeli political commentator.
“Israeli citizens, what they do in a situation like this is dissociate,” the analyst told Al Jazeera, speaking from Tel Aviv. “There’ll be a lot of insinuations that could be construed as critical, but ultimately they will support the war.”
As far as their personal lives go, Israelis will shift into “survivor mode”, stocking up on essentials and making sure “their relatives and loved ones are well cared for”, he added.
Goldberg continued: “The sense of social solidarity is strong in rhetoric, but effectively Israelis don’t care now. They’ll do whatever the government tells them, they’ll support whatever the government presents them with.
“They’ll assume that absolute victory is just around the corner. Change can come, but if Gaza is any precedent, I doubt it’ll come any time soon.”
