Isaac Herzog has strongly condemned Iran’s recent missile strikes and claimed they targeted civilians intentionally; noting the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba which suffered extensive damage in this attack from Iran.
Herzog harshly condemned Iran’s attack as an act of willful terrorism, noting how its missile barrage hit beyond military positions and hit civilian facilities as well. He stated, in particular, that damaging hospitals is war crime for which Iran cannot claim immunity; his remarks came following Iranian ballistic missile strikes which targeted both hospitals as well as neighborhoods throughout central and southern Israel as part of retaliatory strikes by attacking residential neighborhoods during waves of retaliatory strikes from central to southern Israel during retaliatory strikes from Iran during waves of retaliatory strikes from central and southern Israeli military positions in response to Israeli defense forces incurring damage in Syria in recent weeks.
Soroka Hospital Under Fire
On Thursday morning, Iran fired approximately 20 ballistic missiles toward Holon, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv and Beersheba–home to Soroka Medical Center–from their ballistic missile launch site at Ashdod Port in Israel. Israeli authorities confirmed that one missile struck Soroka Medical Center causing “extensive damage”, prompting evacuation procedures and temporary admission suspension except in cases of emergencies (theguardian.com/us +1). Eventually one missile struck Soroka medical Center. Israeli authorities confirmed one missile struck Soroka medical Center caused “extensive damage,” prompting evacuation procedures as one missile hit it causing extensive damage; prompting evacuation procedures as one hit it caused “extensive damage” before prompting evacuation procedures were started upheld only until emergency cases could be assessed (theguardian.com/us +1).
As assessments and repairs were ongoing at the hospital, its spokesperson warned the public not to approach it during assessments and repairs. No fatalities have been reported at this facility but several people suffered injuries that are considered severe en.wikipedia.org for more info.
Casualties & Infrastructure | BNS Israel Beyond Soroka, missiles exploded across central Israel causing at least 30 injuries across Holon, Ramat Gan and Tel Aviv; one person was seriously wounded with over 20 others lightly hurt; each report indicates this figure can vary considerably according to jurisdiction and is estimated differently on various media websites (Washingtonpost.com +8 = Washingtonwiki.org+8 = Aljazeera +8)
Overall, Israeli civilians suffered over 40 injuries as a result of this missile salvo and emergency services rescued those trapped inside damaged buildings. Soroka’s damage disrupted hospital operations; no radiation risk was detected despite earlier targeting of Iran’s heavy water reactor at Arak (sbs.com.au/au/, AP News/AP News and CBSnews/cbsnews/ cbsnews com).
Broader Conflict Dynamics
Iran described their attacks as proportionate defensive operations targeting military objectives and associated infrastructure; Israel maintained that civilian sites–including an important hospital–were intentionally targeted, according to reuters.com.
As part of their response, Israeli forces struck several key Iranian sites including the Arak heavy water reactor and nuclear-related sites in Natanz and Isfahan (nypost.com; theguardian.com; AP News)
This exchange continues the pattern of escalated escalation: over the past week, Iran launched 400 missiles and 300 drones at Israel causing at least two dozen civilian deaths; Israel conducted direct strikes killing over 600 in Iran, most of whom were civilians (cbsnews.com/reuters.com +3 apnews.com).
International Backlash and Legal Implications
World leaders have raised alarm. Germany, France and the UK are holding emergency nuclear talks with Iran this Friday while UN and humanitarian organizations have called for restraint and protection of medical infrastructure as well as noncombatants residing therein.
Legal experts believe targeting healthcare facilities violates international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes, leading to Israel pledging to “exact the full price” from those responsible. Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated Herzog’s concerns by speaking about them during Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Herzog’s parliamentary seat of Malthouse (Wilton Park). Ongoing Tensions and Diplomacy.
U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested the U.S. may join Israel’s military response, though no final decision has been taken, according to The Times (thetimes.co.uk). Diplomatic efforts, including European-led talks and potential United Nations Security Council involvement, aim to contain this situation before it escalates further.
Damage to Soroka hospital highlights an alarming reality: even medical sanctuaries have now come under attack, raising serious concerns for civilian safety and humanitarian norms amid increased hostilities across the Middle East.