The Soroka hospital in Beersheba was struck by an Iranian missile, resulting in injuries and significant damage. Patients were evacuated while officials visited the scene to address the gravity of the situation amidst escalating tensions.
Chaos Unfolds as Iranian Strike Hits Beersheba Hospital
Chaos Unfolds as Iranian Strike Hits Beersheba Hospital
An Iranian missile attack on Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba leads to chaos, confusion, and emergency evacuations.
Reporting from Beersheba, Lucy Williamson, Middle East correspondent
Black smoke lingered in the air as we arrived a few hours after an Iranian missile struck the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba. Chaos reigned; twisted metal and debris lay scattered over a wide area, the remnants of the attack. Emergency response teams, anxious medical staff, and a host of military and police personnel surrounded the hospital, all responding to a scenario that many had anticipated would bring even more devastation.
Alon Uzi, a patient receiving treatment in the emergency department at the time of the strike, recounted his harrowing experience. "I was lying in bed, and I heard a big boom," he said. "Before I could do anything, there was an explosion, and part of the ceiling fell, covering me in dust." Despite the chaos, he found himself fortunate to escape with his life as emergency services rushed to evacuate those inside the hospital.
Inside the building, rescue teams worked diligently to move patients from areas of impact, which had been severely affected. Medical staff detailed their prompt actions to shift patients to underground emergency shelters before the attack occurred. According to Israel's Ministry of Health, as many as 71 individuals suffered injuries from the strike.
Professor Asher Bashiri, who oversees the maternity ward, described the scene from his office. "It looks unbelievable," he remarked while surveying the damage. "The upper section of the hospital is cracked, with flames visible during the first hours. Everything seems shattered." Bashiri highlighted the hospital's quick decision to move patients to safety prior to the attack, a decision that likely prevented a more significant tragedy.
Shlomi Codish, the hospital director, informed media that the northern surgical building sustained an extensive hit, necessitating the transfer of over 200 patients to other medical facilities to ensure their safety. "We are trying to minimize risks," he said, as the fear of further collapses lingered in the air.
Culture Minister Miki Zohar visited the site to vocalize the outrage felt by many, asserting the need for broader recognition of the threats posed by Iran. His statements emphasized Israel's commitment to respond decisively and protect its populace against what he termed a regime intent on harming innocents.
The bleak circumstances were compounded by ongoing discussions about Israel's military actions in Gaza, contrasting their approach to targeting civilians with their claims of care for innocents in conflict zones. Amidst these rising tensions, Israel's military strategized further attacks on Iranian sites, stirring fears of an inevitable escalation.
As international observers remain vigilant, the conflict teeters on a precarious precipice, with both nations wielding considerable military capabilities poised to respond to each other's provocations in an already fraught geopolitical environment.
