A missile strike attributed to Iran has hit the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel, causing significant damage and injuring at least 71 people. The attack occurred on Thursday morning, and the aftermath saw black smoke rising from the hospital as emergency services rushed to respond.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes outside the hospital. Alon Uzi, a patient who was in the emergency department during the attack, recounted the terrifying moment. He said he heard a loud explosion, and before he could react, part of the ceiling collapsed, covering him in dust. Uzi was unable to reach safety in time and was left shaken by the experience.
Emergency teams worked tirelessly to evacuate patients from the hospital, which suffered extensive damage. Medical staff reported that many patients had been moved to underground shelters just before the strike. Professor Asher Bashiri, who oversees the maternity ward, noted that they were fortunate to have relocated patients in time, but the situation remained dire. He described the damage as "unbelievable" and expressed relief that the outcome wasn’t worse.
Hospital director Shlomi Codish confirmed that the northern surgical building was the primary target, with several wards destroyed. He mentioned plans to transfer over 200 patients to other facilities to ensure their safety.
The Israeli government reacted swiftly to the attack, with ministers visiting the site to express their outrage. Culture Minister Miki Zohar emphasized the threat posed by Iran, labeling it a regime that targets innocent people. He drew a contrast between Iran’s actions and Israel’s military practices, asserting that Israel takes precautions to protect civilians during its operations.
Iran has denied targeting the hospital, claiming its missiles were aimed at a tech park nearby. However, Israeli officials have condemned the strike, accusing Iran’s leadership of committing serious war crimes.
This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has seen both sides exchanging attacks in recent days. Israel’s Defense Minister has vowed that Iran will be held accountable for its actions, while Prime Minister Netanyahu has promised a strong response to what he describes as deliberate attacks on civilians.
As tensions rise, the situation remains precarious. The international community is watching closely, as both nations have the capacity to escalate the conflict further. The U.S. is also weighing its options, considering military involvement while pressing Iran to halt its nuclear ambitions.