The Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba was the epicenter of chaos after being struck by an Iranian missile on Thursday, an event that has triggered outrage from Israeli officials. Smoke once shrouded the hospital’s exterior as emergency teams navigated the wreckage, which included scattered shrapnel and debris from the blast.

Witness Alon Uzi was inside receiving treatment when the attack occurred, stating, "I heard a big boom... before part of the ceiling fell." The hospital’s emergency area was filled with the smell of burnt chemicals as patients were evacuated on stretchers, and 71 people were reported injured according to Israel's health ministry.

Medical staff worked quickly, moving patients to safer locations in the underground shelters that had been set up at the onset of conflict. Professor Asher Bashiri noted the urgent need for safety, stating, "We were very, very lucky... it could have been so much worse."

Hospital director Shlomi Codish described the extensive damage, mentioning that over 200 patients would need rapid transfer to other medical facilities. Minister Miki Zohar, among the visiting officials, emphasized the danger posed by Iranian leadership stating, "We’re dealing with evil and we won’t stop until we win." This event illustrates the ongoing cycle of conflict, as both Israel and Iran continue to target each other amidst the escalating situation. The broader implications of this attack reflect the precarious balance of power and the risks of further escalation in the region.