Quick Read
- An Iranian missile hit Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva, causing extensive damage but no serious injuries.
- Israel vows to hold Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accountable for ‘war crimes.’
- The conflict has seen over 600 casualties in Iran and 24 in Israel, with hundreds wounded on both sides.
- Iran confirmed the use of its hypersonic missile, Fattah-1, in the attack.
Israel has vowed to hold Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accountable for what it calls ‘war crimes’ after an Iranian missile struck a hospital in southern Israel. The missile, part of a broader barrage, caused extensive damage to the Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, though no serious injuries were reported. The attack marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
The Hospital Strike
On June 19, 2025, an Iranian missile slammed into the Soroka Medical Center, the main hospital in southern Israel. The attack caused significant structural damage, with blown-out windows and heavy black smoke visible in footage aired by Israeli media. The hospital, which serves approximately 1 million residents, has requested that people avoid seeking treatment unless in life-threatening situations. According to The Hindu, the hospital sustained ‘extensive damage’ but no serious injuries were reported.
Israel’s Response
In the aftermath of the strike, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, stating that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be held accountable for his actions. ‘These are some of the most serious war crimes — and Khamenei will be held accountable for his actions,’ Katz said. He added that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the military to intensify strikes against strategic targets in Iran, including the power infrastructure in Tehran. Katz emphasized that the goal was to ‘eliminate the threats to the state of Israel and shake the Ayatollahs’ regime.’
Escalating Conflict
The hospital strike is part of a broader conflict that began with a surprise wave of Israeli air strikes targeting military sites, senior officers, and nuclear scientists in Iran. In retaliation, Iran has fired approximately 400 missiles and hundreds of drones, killing at least 24 people in Israel and wounding hundreds. According to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group, at least 639 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran, with more than 1,300 wounded. The conflict has drawn international concern, with countries like China and Turkey increasing border security and evacuating citizens from the region.
Iran’s Hypersonic Missile
Amid the escalating tensions, Iran confirmed the launch of its domestically developed hypersonic missile, Fattah-1, during a coordinated nighttime attack. The missile, meaning ‘Conqueror’ in Persian, was unveiled in 2023 and has a range of approximately 1,400 km, capable of striking targets across the Middle East. According to The Hindu, the Fattah-1 features solid-fuel propulsion and a two-stage setup, reaching terminal speeds between Mach 13 and Mach 15. The use of such advanced weaponry underscores the severity of the conflict and Iran’s determination to retaliate against Israeli strikes.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, with both sides vowing to intensify their attacks. The strike on Soroka Hospital has drawn international condemnation, and Israel’s promise to hold Iran’s Supreme Leader accountable for ‘war crimes’ signals a deepening crisis with no immediate resolution in sight.