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Iran fires missile barrage at Israel; one of the largest hospitals impacted
An Iranian missile barrage targeted Israel on Thursday morning, including a direct hit on Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, one of the largest hospitals in Israel, Associated Press reported. The Soroka Medical Center is the main hospital in Israel's south.
The attack comes as the conflict in West Asia enters its seventh day with no end in sight. The Iranian missile barrage also hit Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Holon, where 16 people have been reported injured so far, with three of them seriously injured.
Speaking about the impact on the Soroka Hospital, a spokesperson said that the hospital has suffered 'extensive damage' in different areas, leaving people wounded in the attack. The hospital has urged people not to come there for the treatment as black smoke continues to rise from the building. The hospital has more than 1,000 beds, and it provides services to approximately one million residents of Israel's south, the report said.
However, Iran denied a direct strike on the hospital, saying its targets were military and intelligence centres in Tel Aviv. These included the Central Command Headquarters for Communications, Control, and Intelligence of the Israeli Army and the main military intelligence and operations building of the Israeli Army in the Gav-Yam Technology Park, Tel Aviv.
"Since these targets are located next to the Soroka Military Hospital, the hospital was affected by the blast wave but sustained no significant damage," a post on X by Iran's Embassy in India read.
The Iranian regime targeted Soroka Hospital in Beersheba with a ballistic missile—hitting a major medical center. We will not stand by. We will continue doing what must be done to defend our people. pic.twitter.com/4ldeTQhATW
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) June 19, 2025
Earlier on Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warned people to evacuate the area around the Arak heavy water reactor. The Israeli military shared the warning in a social media post on X. The round of airstrikes on Thursday targeted Tehran, Arak, and some other areas. The military said Iran fired a new salvo of missiles and advised the people to take shelter.
The counterstrike by Iran was in retaliation for Israel's attack on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor. The Israeli military said Thursday's round of airstrikes targeted Tehran and other areas of Iran, without elaborating.
Israel running low on missiles?
A recent Wall Street Journal report, citing US officials, said that concerns are now being flagged over Israel's defence systems, as the country is reportedly running low on its defensive long-range missile interceptors. Concerns over Israel's ability to defend itself are mounting as Iran fires a fresh barrage of ballistic missiles.
The report added that since the conflict began last week, the US Pentagon has sent more missile defence assets to Israel following its latest escalation with Iran. However, concerns have now surfaced about the US' depleting stock of interceptors.
Concerns are also being raised over the Pentagon's resources, whose stock of interceptors is also depleting.
Israel-Iran conflict
On June 13, Israel launched 'Operation Rising Lion', targeting nuclear sites in Iran's capital, Tehran, after concerns rose over its rapidly advancing nuclear programme. Following Israeli strikes, Iran retaliated and launched counterstrikes, targeting cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in Israel. Since Israel's operation began, 585 people have been killed in Iran.
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