Nearly 700 civilians killed in Israeli attacks on Iran: health minister

TEHRAN, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi has said close to 700 civilians were killed in Israeli attacks on Iran during June 13-24.

He made the remarks in an address to reporters in a visit to a medical center in the Iranian capital Tehran on Tuesday, according to the Health Ministry.

The Iranian minister said nearly 5,000 civilians were also wounded in the Israeli attacks, adding that 18 members of medical staff, including six physicians, were among those killed in the airstrikes.

Zafarghandi noted that seven hospitals in the country were directly targeted by Israel, and a number of medical centers were evacuated due to emergency circumstances.

He stressed that Israel also hit 11 ambulances, adding all those Israeli actions were in violation of international principles and laws and human rights.

On June 13, Israel launched major airstrikes on several areas in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and many civilians. Iran responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks on Israel, causing casualties and damages.

On Tuesday, Iranian Deputy Health Minister for Treatment Seyed Sajjad Razavi said Iran's death toll from Israeli attacks reached nearly 1,100 people, putting the number of the wounded at 5,750 people, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. ■