Shock and Devastation at Soroka Hospital After Iranian Missile Strike
On Thursday, an Iranian ballistic missile struck Israel's Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, leaving a trail of destruction and disbelief. The once-bustling medical facility now lies damaged, with shattered windows, collapsed ceilings, and ruined medical equipment scattered across its corridors.
Severe Damage Impacts Critical Hospital Departments
The missile hit the hospital’s entrance hall and severely damaged multiple departments, including the ophthalmology unit located on the third floor of the surgical building. The explosion wreaked havoc inside, hurling glass shards everywhere and dismantling vital medical machinery.
“It’s heartbreaking. I never imagined such devastation could strike a place dedicated solely to healing,” said Wasim Hin, an ophthalmologist at Soroka Medical Centre. “All our new equipment has been destroyed.”
Direct Hit Confirmed Amidst Widespread Ruin
Yael Tiv, an officer with Israel's Home Front Command, confirmed the missile caused direct, extensive damage. “Inside, it’s a nightmare: windows shattered, ceilings fallen — an awful scene,” she recounted.
While the building sustained heavy damage, a recent evacuation meant the strike didn't result in any fatalities, a fact maintenance worker Kevin Azoulay described as “a miracle.” However, around 40 people were injured in the attack.
Soroka Hospital’s Vital Role in the Region
Soroka serves as the largest hospital in southern Israel and is a crucial medical hub for both the Bedouin communities of the Negev Desert and Israeli soldiers wounded in the Gaza conflict. Its impairment raises serious concerns over ongoing healthcare provisions in the area.
Hospital director Shlomi Codish painted a grim picture: “Several wards have been completely destroyed, with damage widespread throughout the facility, from structures to windows and ceilings.”
Israel’s Air Defenses Brace Amid Continuing Missile Barrages
Despite Israel’s multi-layered air defense systems intercepting most incoming missiles and drones over the past week, some have slipped through, inflicting localized but severe destruction — as seen in Soroka Hospital.
In addition to Beersheba, central Israeli towns Ramat Gan and Holon, near Tel Aviv, suffered building damages from Iranian missile strikes amidst escalating hostilities that began last Friday.
Local resident Renana expressed resilience: “The truth is, God is with us, and the government must continue its efforts.”
International Condemnation and Calls for Mercy
The World Health Organization has denounced attacks on medical facilities during the escalating Iran-Israel conflict as “appalling.” Last month, WHO leadership urged restraint, condemning the weaponization of essential food and medical supplies amid warfare.
Israeli Leadership Vows Retaliation
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the damaged hospital and vowed decisive retaliation. “Those tyrants in Tehran will pay a heavy price,” he declared in a social media post.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities defended the strike as targeting a nearby Israeli command and intelligence post, not the hospital itself. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed the missile barrage precisely hit military facilities close to the hospital.
Questions Loom Over Future Medical Care
Boris Knaizer, head of the ophthalmology department, lamented the sudden loss of vital healthcare infrastructure. Serving around 50,000 patients annually, the department now faces uncertainty. “How will we care for our patients? We have no space, no rooms — everything is destroyed,” he said quietly.
The devastating assault on Soroka Hospital underscores not only the physical toll of the conflict but the intensified humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
