Early Thursday morning, an Iranian missile struck the Soroka Medical Center in the southern city of Be’er Sheva - the central medical facility serving over one million people in southern Israel. The impact caused significant damage, thick smoke rose from the hospital complex, and patients were rushed to safety. Although the hospital reported no serious injuries, the attack marks a new level of escalation in the ongoing conflict. Additional missiles struck residential buildings in the Tel Aviv area. In Ramat Gan, a child was evacuated from a destroyed apartment, and at least 40 people were injured.
Israel responded the same day with airstrikes on the heavy water reactor facility in Arak, western Iran - a symbolic target that recalls the long history of international concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. The Israeli army stated that it had specifically destroyed components intended for plutonium production to prevent the possible reactivation of the reactor. According to Iranian media, the site had been evacuated beforehand and posed no radiation threat. The strike is part of a broader Israeli military campaign that has also targeted nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and near Tehran. Human rights groups now report over 600 people killed in Iran, including many civilians.
The escalation began with Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian officers and nuclear scientists. Since then, Tehran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones, most of which have been intercepted by Israel’s air defense system - but not all. The strike on the hospital in Be’er Sheva underscores the vulnerability that remains despite all technology. Prime Minister Netanyahu called the attack a "crime against humanity" and vowed retaliation. Meanwhile, Israel has activated emergency protocols: hospitals are moving patients underground, parking garages are being converted into treatment centers. In a war that targets civilian infrastructure, red lines have long been crossed.
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