Soroka Hospital hit in latest Iranian barrage; About 50 wounded, 6 seriously | WATCH

After a relatively quiet night, this morning (Thursday) a heavy barrage of rockets was detected from Iran towards Israel, including about 30 launches. Sirens were activated in the center, in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, in the north, and in the Galilee, with several impacts reported. So far, about 50 casualties have been reported, including 6 in serious condition. Due to the heavy barrage, hospitals prepared for a mass casualty event and began receiving victims.

Seven impact sites have been confirmed so far, including three in central Israel, and a direct hit near the entrance to Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva.

Following the injury at Soroka, the Ministry of Health instructed to transfer about 150 hospitalized patients from the internal departments at Soroka to several other hospitals including Barzilai, Assuta Ashdod, Sheba, Hadassah Beilinson, and other hospitals.

At an impact site in Holon, two people were severely injured, one moderately injured, and four were lightly injured. All were evacuated for treatment. Some of the buildings affected are considered in danger of collapse.

Channel 12 News reported that 26 casualties were evacuated to Wolfson, Beilinson, Sheba, and Ichilov hospitals. Among them are two in serious condition, and one in moderate condition; the others sustained light injuries. There is concern that some people may be trapped at impact sites in central Israel.

President Isaac Herzog tweeted about the attack: “A baby in intensive care. A mother by their bedside. A doctor rushing between beds. An elderly resident in a nursing home.

“These were some of the targets of Iran’s missile attacks on Israeli civilians this morning.

“Soroka Hospital, located in Be’er Sheva, is one of Israel’s finest, serving the entire Negev region, caring for Israelis of all faiths and our nieghbors the Palestinians who come especially to be treated there. Its devoted staff, Jews and Arabs, work side by side in extraordinary harmony, united by the mission to heal.

“I send strength and support to the medical teams, to the patients, and to the residents of Be’er Sheva and all cities attacked across Israel this morning.

“In moments like these, we are reminded of what’s truly at stake, and the values we are defending.”

Update: 10:07am

Soroka Hospital has located one missing person.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection announced that reports of a hazardous materials leak at Soroka Hospital, sparked by the Iranian missile strike, were unfounded. Southern District inspectors conducted on-site monitoring and measurements, ruling out any chemical threat or risk to the public. The ministry reiterated the importance of adhering to Home Front Command instructions, which it described as “life-saving.”

Meanwhile, Magen David Adom reported three critically injured, two moderately injured, 42 lightly injured, and 18 civilians hurt while rushing to protected areas during the attack.

The Ministry of Health confirmed significant damage to Soroka’s old surgical building. The emergency room remains operational and is currently treating several individuals with minor injuries.

MDA Director-General said that a Ministry of Health directive to evacuate the affected floor at Soroka was issued just hours before the strike. “Many lives were saved,” he stated. A hospital doctor called the timing “a great miracle,” noting the surgical building had been cleared just one day earlier.

In addition the hospital, a school, and an apartment complex in central Israel were also directly hit during the missile barrage.

Soroka Medical Center has instructed the public not to come to its emergency department until further notice. “The hospital administration requests that the public refrain from arriving at the emergency room,” the statement said. Patients in need of urgent care are being referred to Barzilai, Assuta Ashdod, and Kaplan Medical Centers.