Soroka hospital in Beersheva hit by Iranian ballistic missile - The Jewish Chronicle

At least six people were seriously wounded by an Iranian missile barrage on Israel this morning. Beersheva’s Soroka Hospital sustained a direct hit, and impacts were also reported in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Holon.

According to reports, part of the Soroka complex had been evacuated just a day before Thursday’s strike by a special order of the Health Ministry, including the floor hit by the missile.

Four serious injuries were caused by a direct hit on a residential building in Holon, south of Tel Aviv, according to Wolfson Medical Center. The hospital said it was also treating 19 people listed in mild condition. Two people were seriously injured in the direct hit in Ramat Gan, according to israeli media reports.

Smoke billows from a building at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba in southern Israel following an Iranian missile attack, on June 19, 2025. A hospital in southern Israel was hit during a barrage of "dozens" of Iranian missiles on June 19, officials said, while another impact was reported by emergency services in the Tel Aviv area. (Photo by John Wessels / AFP) (Photo by JOHN WESSELS/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images

The barrage, comprising some 30 ballistic missiles, was the heaviest launched by the Islamic Republic in some 48 hours.

Emergency teams were responding at several sites, searching for wounded and treating several individuals for minor injuries, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom. In total, 22 individuals with mild injuries were receiving care and were being transported to hospitals.

Following direct missile strikes on residential buildings in central Israel, United Hatzalah volunteers provided initial treatment to three women in serious condition, two men in moderate condition, and more than 50 additional people who sustained mild injuries, including many suffering from emotional shock.

A man sweeps broken glass in a synagogue that was hit by an Iranian missile in Israel's central city of Holon on June 19, 2025. A hospital in southern Israel and two towns near Tel Aviv were struck after a barrage of Iranian missiles early on June 19, with rescuers reporting at least 47 people injured in the latest attacks. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images

Israel’s Channel 12 News reported that a suspected leak of hazardous materials on one of the floors of Soroka hospital was being investigated and that the area was being evacuated; however, it was later reported that fears of a leak had been ruled out.

“There has been damage to the hospital and extensive damage in various areas. We are currently assessing the damages, including injuries,” the Soroka spokesperson said, requesting that people not come to the medical center at this time and stating that further updates would be provided as soon as possible.Smoke rises from the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit and caused damage at the Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, June 19, 2025. Photo by Dudu Greenspan/Flash90.

“Just yesterday, they evacuated the old surgical building, which today took a direct hit. It’s a great miracle,” a doctor at Soroka told Kan News.

Israeli Health Minister Uriel Buso called the Soroka strike “an act of terror” that crosses a red line.

“It is a war crime by the Iranian regime, deliberately targeting innocent civilians and medical teams dedicated to saving lives. The Health Ministry was prepared in advance, and thanks to the immediate actions we took, a major disaster was averted,” said Buso.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the Iranian regime “Nazis who launch missiles at hospitals, at the elderly, and at children.” If the regime had nuclear weapons, it would deploy them “without even thinking for a second,” he added.

He called “Operation Rising Lion,” Israel’s name for the campaign in Iran, “the most just campaign Israel has ever embarked on in its history.”

Ben-Gvir continued: “I embrace the citizens of Israel and strengthen the hands of the prime minister and my colleagues in the cabinet during these days. We are all united—to remove this threat once and for all, until the end and until absolute victory! The people of Israel live.”

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Israel-Iran