Iranian missile hits major Israeli hospital, nuclear tensions escalate
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In a sharp escalation of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, a missile launched by Iran struck the Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel early Thursday, injuring several people and inflicting significant damage.
The hospital, which serves over a million residents, has temporarily restricted services, treating only critical cases due to damage across multiple departments.
According to The Indian Express, Israeli media aired footage showing broken windows and smoke billowing from the facility. Meanwhile, other missile strikes damaged residential buildings near Tel Aviv, leaving at least 40 people wounded, as per emergency services.
The attack on the hospital came amid Israel’s own military campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
On the same day, Israeli fighter jets hit Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, focusing on components believed to be vital for plutonium production. The Israeli military claimed the attack was designed to prevent the reactor from being restored for nuclear weapons development. Another strike reportedly targeted a nuclear-related site near Natanz.
Iranian state media acknowledged the Arak strike but insisted there was "no radiation danger whatsoever." The reactor, located near Khondab, was evacuated, and no civilian areas were reported to be affected.
The Soroka Medical Center’s emergency unit remains operational, though with limited capacity. Many Israeli hospitals had already activated contingency protocols, relocating patients and converting underground areas into emergency wards in anticipation of attacks.
Iran has launched hundreds of drones and missiles toward Israel since the start of the conflict, most of which were intercepted. Still, key infrastructure has been impacted. Israel’s retaliatory strikes have targeted nuclear facilities, high-ranking military officers, and scientific personnel within Iran.
This military exchange follows earlier warnings from Israel about strikes on Iranian nuclear assets. Iran, which maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, has been enriching uranium up to 60% — a level close to weapons-grade.
The Arak reactor, though once redesigned under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal to reduce proliferation risks, remains a site of concern. Britain had taken over redesign efforts after the U.S. exited the deal in 2018. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concern over recent developments and limitations placed on its inspections, last reported on May 14.
A human rights group based in Washington stated that 639 people have been killed in Iran due to Israeli strikes, including civilians. Iran’s response — over 400 missiles and hundreds of drones — has reportedly killed at least 24 people in Israel and injured hundreds more.
