In a major escalation of hostilities, Iran launched a barrage of 30 ballistic missiles targeting Israel early Thursday. Among the direct hits was the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel’s largest hospital in the south. Missiles also struck the central cities of Holon and Ramat Gan, injuring dozens of civilians.
Missile Hits Hospital in Beersheba
Soroka Medical Center, which serves over 1 million residents in southern Israel, was directly struck. The hospital’s old surgical ward, recently evacuated, was hit by a missile.
“A missile hit the old surgical ward building at Soroka. It’s a relatively old building that had been evacuated in recent days,” said Prof. Shlomi Kodesh, Director General of the hospital.
He confirmed that patients and staff were in shelters, and that injuries at the hospital were mostly light, caused by the shockwave.
Casualties Across Impact Sites
According to Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s emergency service:
-
One 80-year-old man and two women in their 70s are seriously injured
-
2 more people are moderately injured
-
At least 42 others suffered light injuries from shrapnel and shockwaves
-
18 people were hurt while running to bomb shelters
“Many lives were saved,” said Eli Bin, head of MDA, noting that the affected hospital floor was evacuated just a day earlier.
🛑 Iran’s Claim vs Reality
Iran claimed that the missile aimed at Soroka was targeting a nearby military intelligence facility.
However, reports confirm that:
-
There are no military bases near Soroka Hospital
-
The nearest IDF base is over 2 km away
-
A partially built army base lies more than 1 km from the site
Emergency Protocols Activated Across Israel
Following the attack:
-
Soroka has been closed to all new patients, except for life-threatening cases
-
Hospitals across Israel have activated emergency plans
-
Underground parking lots have been converted into treatment wards
-
Patients on ventilators and critical care units have been moved underground
-
This missile strike comes days after Israel launched attacks on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, citing an immediate existential threat. The ongoing exchange has escalated tensions in the region, with both sides targeting strategic infrastructure.
