A hospital in southern Israel, along with two towns near Tel Aviv, became targets in a barrage of Iranian missile strikes on Thursday morning, resulting in at least 47 reported injuries. This incident represents the latest escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran, prompting urgent responses from Israeli government officials.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attacks, specifically the missile strike on Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, stating that Iran would “pay a heavy price” for its actions. In a post on social media platform X, Netanyahu emphasized the threat posed by Iran, stating, “This morning, Iran’s terrorist dictators fired missiles at Soroka Hospital… and at civilians in the center of the country.” He vowed to hold Iran accountable for these aggressions.
The Soroka Hospital reported significant damage, with officials urging the public to refrain from visiting as they evaluated injuries and the extent of the destruction. Eyewitness footage from the scene showed smoke rising from the hospital, which functions as a critical medical facility for both civilians and soldiers injured in ongoing military operations in Gaza.
In addition to the hospital strike, buildings in the nearby central towns of Ramat Gan and Holon were also impacted. These areas, located close to the bustling coastal hub of Tel Aviv, have suffered repeated Iranian missile attacks since hostilities escalated last week. According to Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue service, three individuals are in serious condition, two in moderate condition, while 42 others sustained minor injuries due to shrapnel and blast trauma. Eighteen individuals were injured as they sought shelter during the attacks.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz characterized the missile strikes as grave war crimes and stated that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be held accountable for such actions. Katz noted that both he and the Prime Minister have instructed the military to intensify operations against strategic targets within Iran, targeting critical infrastructure in Tehran to diminish the threats against Israel.
As sirens echoed across Israeli cities early in the morning, military officials confirmed the detection of incoming missiles from Iran. Reports indicated that “dozens of ballistic missiles” had been launched. The explosions, particularly loud around 7:10 am, signaled a concerning escalation in the conflict, marking some of the loudest sounds since the recent round of hostilities began.
Sirens sounded multiple times in Tel Aviv, with an all-clear status issued approximately half an hour after the initial alerts. The situation remains critical as the Israeli government deliberates on its next moves in response to the ongoing Iranian aggression.
