In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, Iranian ballistic missiles struck Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba, southern Israel’s largest hospital, early Thursday morning, wounding at least 40 people and causing extensive damage to the facility.
The attack, part of a broader wave of Iranian retaliatory strikes, has drawn sharp condemnation from Israeli leaders, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promising a severe response, while the international community urges de-escalation to prevent a full-scale war.
The missile strike on Soroka Hospital, which serves over 1 million residents in Israel’s south, marked a significant breach of Israel’s air defences.
According to Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue service, 40 individuals were injured, with three in serious condition, two in moderate condition, and the remainder sustaining minor injuries, primarily from shrapnel and shockwaves.
A hospital spokesperson reported that several buildings within the complex were heavily damaged, forcing the evacuation of 20 patients to safer areas.
Emergency services described chaotic scenes, with medical staff navigating debris to treat victims while fires burnt in a six-storey structure.
Iranian state media claimed the missile targeted a nearby military headquarters, not the hospital itself, but Israeli officials dismissed this as a justification for attacking a civilian facility.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, in a post on X, condemned the strike, stating, “This morning, Iran’s terrorist tyrants launched missiles at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and civilian population centres. We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran.”
Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed this, declaring that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be “held accountable” and ordering the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to intensify strikes on strategic targets in Iran, including Tehran’s power infrastructure.
The IDF confirmed it had already targeted Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor and other nuclear sites in retaliation.
The international community has expressed alarm, with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres calling for “maximum restraint” to avoid further escalation.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged all parties to de-escalate, while Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to mediate talks.
Despite these calls, the conflict shows no signs of abating, with Iran launching over 400 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel since Friday, killing 24 and wounding over 500, according to Israeli reports.
