The Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba was hit by an Iranian strike on Thursday, although Iran denies targeting it. Black smoke was still billowing from the hospital when we arrived, several hours after the attack. Pieces of twisted metal shrapnel – some apparently from the missile itself – scattered across a 200-meter (656ft) area surrounding the complex. Emergency medical staff were swiftly mobilized, as crowds of soldiers, police, and rescue teams took to the entrance, where ministers arrived to voice their outrage.
Alon Uzi was among those present outside the hospital with personal belongings in hand. He had been receiving treatment in the emergency department when the attack struck, leaving him without time to reach safety. "I was lying in bed, and I heard a big boom," he recounted. "Before I could do anything, there was an explosion, and part of the ceiling fell, covering me with white dust." The chaos continued as emergency teams evacuated patients on stretchers, moving them to underground shelters.
Iran's missile strike resulted in 71 reported injuries, as hospital staff worked on securing the premises after significant damage was inflicted on various wards. Professor Asher Bashiri from the maternity ward noted from his office the wounds left from the assault. "It looks unbelievable," he stated. "The upper part of the building is cracked, and fire was coming from it in the first hours. Everything looks broken." He acknowledged their luck in relocating patients to safer areas.
The hospital director, Shlomi Codish, confirmed multiple wards were demolished. Over 200 patients are expected to be relocated to other medical centers. Culture Minister Miki Zohar, visiting the site, emphasized the dangers posed by the Iranian regime, pledging a strong response. "When you're dealing with evil, this is a different war," he asserted.
Zohar addressed past criticisms regarding Israeli military strikes in Gaza, framing the response as necessary for civilian safety. Meanwhile, Israel's Defense Minister accused Iran's supreme leader of "war crimes," asserting accountability for the attack. Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the targeting of civilians, stating Israel would seek revenge against those behind the missile strike.
The situation escalated as Iranian media claimed the missile was aimed at a tech park nearby. With ongoing military operations from both sides, including recent attacks by Israeli fighter jets in Iran and the U.S. contemplating intervention, the conflict teeters on the brink of a broader war.
