A week of Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 657 people and wounded 2,037 others, a human rights group has confirmed.

Iranian missiles hit a major hospital in southern Israel and struck residential buildings in Tel Aviv on Thursday, wounding 240 people and causing extensive damage.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the “situation in the Middle East remains perilous,” after meeting Thursday at the White House with his U.S. counterpart, Marco Rubio, and presidential envoy Steve Witkoff. Meanwhile, Donald Trump will decide whether to launch an historic attack on Iran in the next two weeks.

As Israel and Iran continue to trade deadly blows, the war has closed airspaces, preventing people from leaving the country. Countries are evacuating their nationals from Israel and Iran by air, land and sea as conflict rages between Iran and Israel.

The Israeli Transportation Minister announced that outgoing flights will begin on Monday to return stranded Israelis and foreigners to their homes.

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Analysis: Trump statement buys time for political and military reasons

Donald Trump’s statement yesterday evening, that a decision would be made within two weeks on whether to intervene, buys the US time not just politically but militarily as well, our military analyst Michael Clarke says.

He has just been speaking to Breakfast presenter Anna Jones.

Clarke says that Trump’s statement “gives himself some flexibility” and works well politically to avoid being bounced into a decision.

However, Clarke adds it was also important for military decisions as it opens up more options for the US.

He explains: “It makes sense in a way, for the Americans as a policy machine to give themselves a bit more time for military preparations.

“If there is going to be an American strike, backing in behind the Israeli operations, then it may not be a single strike, it may take a while, and it may lead to a bigger engagement, and that’s the great problem.

“So for the Americans, getting more stuff in place is quite important.”

He adds that diplomatic routes seem to bring the US “back to the 2015 deal” with Iran to control its nuclear production – the one Trump scrapped in his first term.

Watch Clarke’s full breakdown below:

Can you reflect on the anxiety and other feelings an ABC reporter feels covering this war when based in Israel and what the typical feelings that locals ( Israelis ) will be feeling? Is there any attempt to find out this by the ABC reporters? – Robert

Thanks for the question Robert.

The first thing to know is we are highly trained to be working in risky situations and safety is always our first priority.

I’ve also lived in Jerusalem for three years, so I know this region really well, and how to operate here safely.

On your second question — absolutely.

I spend all day talking with Israelis about how they’re feeling, and it’s a real mixture.

There is a lot of stress and worry here.

For example, I was speaking with a woman yesterday who was crying and telling me she didn’t know how she was going to rebuild her home, that had been destroyed by a missile.

Some people I’ve spoken with say they’re not too concerned and feel a sense of safety because of Israel’s aerial defense capabilities, like the Iron Dome.

But the streets around Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are quite empty at the moment, because a lot of activities like work and school have been closed following orders by security forces.

And I’d say people here (like around the rest of the world) are wondering what’s going to happen next. Will the United States join the fight?

I’ve also been speaking with people in Iran about how they are feeling and their experiences, and I’ll share them with you soon.

Analysis: Trump statement buys time for political and military reasons

Donald Trump’s statement yesterday evening, that a decision would be made within two weeks on whether to intervene, buys the US time not just politically but militarily as well, our military analyst Michael Clarke says.

He has just been speaking to Breakfast presenter Anna Jones.

Clarke says that Trump’s sstatement “gives himself some flexibility” and works well politically to avoid being bounced into a decision.

However, Clarke adds it was also important for military decisions as it opens up more options for Washington.

He explains: “It makes sense in a way, for the American as a policy machine to give themselves a bit more time for military preparations.

“If there is going to be an American strike, backing in behind the Israeli operations, then it may it may not be a single strike, it may take a while and it may lead to a bigger engagement, and that’s the great problem.

“So for the Americans, getting more stuff in place is quite important.”

He adds that diplomatic routes seem to bring the US “back to 2015 deal” – the one Trump scrapped.

Watch Clarke’s full breakdown below:

Analysis: Trump statement buys time for political and military reasons

Donald Trump’s statement yesterday evening, that a decision would be made within two weeks on whether to intervene, buys the US time not just politically but militarily as well, our military analyst Michael Clarke says.

He has just been speaking to Breakfast presenter Anna Jones.

Clarke says that Trump’s statement “gives himself some flexibility” and works well politically to avoid being bounced into a decision.

However, Clarke adds it was also important for military decisions as it opens up more options for the US.

He explains: “It makes sense in a way, for the Americans as a policy machine to give themselves a bit more time for military preparations.

“If there is going to be an American strike, backing in behind the Israeli operations, then it may not be a single strike, it may take a while, and it may lead to a bigger engagement, and that’s the great problem.

“So for the Americans, getting more stuff in place is quite important.”

He adds that diplomatic routes seem to bring the US “back to the 2015 deal” with Iran to control its nuclear production – the one Trump scrapped in his first term.

Watch Clarke’s full breakdown below: