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Beersheba, Israel — A ballistic missile fired by Iran struck Beersheba’s Soroka Medical Center on Thursday morning, causing widespread destruction, injuring at least 80 people, and prompting the evacuation of hundreds of patients.
The attack has been condemned as a grave violation of international law and has forced a major reshuffling of emergency medical services across Israel.
The missile, part of a broader morning barrage launched by Iran targeting cities across Israel, slammed into Soroka’s surgical ward at approximately 7 a.m., according to hospital officials.
The blast flattened the top floor of the building and ignited fires that spread to adjacent structures, creating what witnesses described as scenes of “total destruction.”
“We knew from the noise that it wasn’t like anything we were used to,” said Nissim Huri, a hospital kitchen worker who sought shelter during the strike. “When we came out, it was complete destruction.”
At the time of the attack, Soroka Medical Center — which serves nearly one million residents in southern Israel — was treating around 700 patients.
Hospital administrators announced a temporary halt on admissions, except in life-threatening cases, and began transferring or discharging hundreds of patients to other facilities. By Thursday afternoon, the number of patients remaining at Soroka had dropped to approximately 300.
The Hadassah hospital network in Jerusalem confirmed it was receiving patients from Soroka, noting that its facilities had activated underground units to handle potential mass casualty scenarios.
“We are working tirelessly to provide uninterrupted care in protected areas,” said Hadassah President Carol Ann Schwartz. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, claimed the hospital was primarily treating Israeli soldiers and dismissed the damage as “cosmetic.”
However, photos and footage from the scene showed extensive structural damage, with smoke billowing from the ruins and staff visibly shaken. Medical transporter Yogev Vizman described the scene upon arrival: “That whole building was on fire… everything collapsed. This is like my home. I never thought there would be a direct hit on a hospital.”
IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin accused Iran of deliberately targeting civilians. “Let there be no doubt, the Iranian regime deliberately and maliciously fired at the hospital,” Defrin said. “This is state-sponsored terrorism and a blatant violation of international law.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross echoed that sentiment, writing on social media, “Under international humanitarian law, the wounded and sick, medical personnel and hospitals must be respected and protected.”
In the wake of the attack, Israel’s Health Ministry ordered hospitals nationwide to reduce intake and prepare for further strikes. A letter from Deputy Director Dr. Sefi Mendelovich instructed directors to discharge women 12 hours after childbirth and activate emergency evacuation protocols for missile-hit wards.
As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, with daily missile strikes and retaliatory bombings, the attack on Soroka marks one of the most egregious escalations yet — directly threatening a core pillar of civilian infrastructure.