Iranian Ballistic Missile Strikes Largest Hospital in Southern Israel Amid Escalating Tensions

In a dramatic escalation of conflict in the Middle East, an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Soroka Hospital, the largest medical center in southern Israel, on the morning of June 19, 2025. The attack has caused significant damage to the facility and left dozens injured, sending shockwaves across the region and drawing widespread condemnation.

Trey Yingst, Chief Foreign Correspondent for Fox News, described the missile strike as a “direct hit” on the critical healthcare infrastructure of Israel’s southern city of Beersheba. This unprecedented attack on a civilian medical institution marks a dangerous intensification of hostilities between Israel and Iran, raising urgent concerns about the safety of non-combatants amid the ongoing conflict.

Casualties and Damage

According to the Israeli emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, the missile strike resulted in at least three individuals sustaining serious injuries, two with moderate wounds, and dozens more suffering from shrapnel and blast-related injuries. Rescue teams are actively searching through the affected areas, providing medical aid and evacuating those in need.

Smoke was seen billowing from the hospital as emergency crews worked frantically to contain the situation. The damage to Soroka Hospital has disrupted medical services in the region, complicating treatment efforts during this tense period.

Israeli Response and Official Statements

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly condemned the missile strike, posting on the social media platform X that “Israel will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran.” Netanyahu characterized the attack as a blatant assault on civilians, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to defending its people and responding decisively to threats.

“This morning, Iran’s terrorist tyrants launched missiles at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and at civilian populations in the center of the country,” Netanyahu wrote. “Significant damage to the largest hospital in southern Israel is unacceptable.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been conducting airstrikes on various Iranian targets, including nuclear and ballistic missile facilities, in retaliation for ongoing threats. Recent strikes targeted an inactive nuclear reactor in Arak—critical for plutonium production—a nuclear weapons development site near Natanz, and several missile storage and radar system locations.

Rising Regional Tensions and Global Implications

The attack on Soroka Hospital comes amid heightened military action in the region, with Iran and Israel engaging in a fierce exchange of missile strikes and aerial bombardments. The risk of the conflict expanding further has prompted international concern and calls for restraint.

The United States, a close ally of Israel, has been closely monitoring the situation. President Donald Trump has kept open the possibility of U.S. military intervention, stating in a recent press briefing, “We may do it, we may not do it. Nobody knows.” Trump underscored America’s intolerance for attacks on civilians or American personnel and emphasized that U.S. patience is “wearing thin.”

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump specifically mentioned that the “Supreme Leader” of Iran is an “easy target” but noted there are currently no plans to take lethal action against him. However, he warned Iran against further missile attacks on civilians or U.S. forces.

Humanitarian Concerns

The missile strike on a hospital—an institution protected under international humanitarian law—has raised alarms among human rights organizations and global leaders. Such attacks on medical facilities are considered war crimes under international law and deepen the humanitarian crisis in an already volatile region.

As rescue operations continue, there is growing fear about the impact on vulnerable populations, including patients, medical staff, and the wider civilian community in southern Israel. Hospitals are now bracing for an influx of casualties as violence escalates.

Looking Ahead

The missile attack on Soroka Hospital signals a troubling new phase in the Israel-Iran conflict, underscoring the dangerous potential for broader regional war. With the U.S. weighing possible military involvement and both sides ramping up attacks, the coming days could prove pivotal.

As global powers urge de-escalation, the international community watches anxiously, hoping for a diplomatic resolution to prevent further loss of life and devastation.