Jerusalem: The conflict between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically on Thursday after an Iranian ballistic missile struck Soroka Medical Centre, the largest hospital in southern Israel, leaving parts of the facility heavily damaged and several injured.
Located in the city of Beer Sheba, the Soroka Medical Centre, which serves over 1 million residents across southern Israel, became the unexpected target in the widening conflict that has seen civilian infrastructure increasingly caught in the crossfire. Eyewitness videos posted online show thick plumes of smoke billowing from the hospital complex, while emergency crews rushed to the site in the aftermath.
Hospital authorities confirmed that “multiple areas of the hospital sustained structural damage,” although no fatalities have been reported so far. A spokesperson for Soroka described the situation as “critical,” stating that rescue efforts are ongoing and some individuals are feared trapped under debris.
The attack came just hours after Israel reportedly carried out an airstrike on Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, located around 250 kilometers southwest of Tehran. Iranian state television confirmed the hit but stated there was “no radiation leak or risk to the surrounding area.”
In response, Iran launched a series of ballistic missiles aimed at southern Israel, with Soroka appearing to be the most high-profile target struck. While Iran has previously focused on military infrastructure, Thursday’s strike on a hospital marked a grim shift in the scope of retaliatory operations.
The Iranian military has not officially commented on the selection of Soroka Hospital as a target, but military analysts suggest the strike may have been intended to disrupt Israel’s emergency response capabilities following attacks on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
This latest exchange follows Israel’s launch of “Operation Rising Lion” last week — a concentrated campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military assets. That operation reportedly damaged multiple installations, including those in Natanz, Isfahan, and Arak. Since then, Iran has fired dozens of missiles into Israeli territory, hitting densely populated cities such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Ashdod.
The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has condemned the targeting of nuclear sites, warning of the “unpredictable consequences” such actions may bring. On Wednesday, the agency again urged restraint, asking all parties to avoid targeting civilian or nuclear facilities.
As both nations engage in tit-for-tat strikes, diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis have stalled. The UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency meeting later this week to address the growing volatility in the region.
