Iranian Missile Strikes Israeli Hospital Amid Escalating Conflict
A significant medical facility in southern Israel, Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba, suffered extensive damage after being hit by an Iranian ballistic missile. This attack was part of a larger missile assault targeting military sites in the vicinity, resulting in the evacuation of 200 patients from the hospital.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran claimed the missile was intended for a military target near the hospital, not the hospital itself. However, Israel has strongly condemned the strike, labelling it as intentional and criminal. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sharren Haskel accused Iran of deliberately targeting the main medical centre serving the Negev region.
Reports from the Israeli Health Ministry indicated that at least 271 individuals were injured throughout the country due to these recent attacks. In response, Israel conducted precision strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, targeting locations such as the Arak heavy-water reactor and a facility in Natanz, which Israel alleges is involved in nuclear weapons development.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site of the damaged hospital, vowing to dismantle Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities. "By the end of this operation, there will be no nuclear threat to Israel," he stated. Defense Minister Israel Katz also remarked that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei must no longer be allowed to exist after ordering attacks on civilian sites.
Despite denying any intention to target civilians, the Iranian government warned that its response to Israeli actions would be limitless. Tehran also lodged a complaint with the UN nuclear watchdog, accusing Israel of illegally attacking peaceful nuclear facilities.
The Arak reactor, known for producing plutonium-capable heavy water, had been evacuated before the strike, and no radiation leaks were reported. Iran continues to assert that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, a claim that remains contested by Israel and the United States.
The strike on the hospital was condemned by the UN and international organizations. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk urged for restraint and cautioned against inflammatory rhetoric. The World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross reminded all parties that hospitals and medical workers are protected under international humanitarian law.
The conflict has the potential to escalate further as U.S. President Donald Trump considers direct military involvement. While the Pentagon has developed plans for a possible strike on Iran, Trump has not yet decided on the course of action. “I may do it, I may not do it,” he stated on Wednesday. Iranian authorities have warned that U.S. intervention would provoke retaliation against American interests in the region.
As tensions mount, there are increasing calls for de-escalation and renewed diplomatic efforts, yet the pathway to peace remains uncertain.
