By [Your Name] | June 2025
Iran has strongly denied Israeli allegations that one of its recent missile strikes deliberately targeted Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba. Iran called these claims “baseless and manipulative.” This came following widespread condemnation after an Iranian missile landed near the hospital last Wednesday, injuring numerous patients while prompting widespread condemnation by Israeli officials as well as international humanitarian groups.
Iran Condemns Hospital Strike as “Misrepresentation”
In an official statement issued Thursday by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, they insisted that the missile strike targeted an Israeli military command facility rather than targeting the hospital itself. Their statement read “the Zionist regime is creating claims in order to deflect attention away from their war crimes in Gaza and Iran; instead the intended target was a known military installation less than 300 meters from impact zone and civilian casualties are deeply regrettable yet unintended.”
Iran also accused Israel of spreading “deliberate misinformation” in order to rally international support for their ongoing military campaign, particularly as diplomatic negotiations escalate in Geneva and Washington.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly responded to Iran’s explanation by asserting that Israel maintained its position that a civilian medical facility had been targeted, calling the act a war crime and noting Israeli intelligence had found no military bases or command posts nearby.
“Let there be no confusion–this was an attack against a hospital,” Netanyahu stated at a press conference. “Iran’s lies are clear–they target civilians while pretending to act in self-defense.
Israeli forces released satellite images purporting to show where the missile hit, purporting it had struck within close range of a hospital emergency department which had recently been reinforced for wartime trauma care.
Civilian Impact and Casualties
At least 72 people were injured by the missile strike, including hospital staff, patients, and residents in nearby residential blocks. Emergency services responded quickly; numerous individuals received treatment for shrapnel wounds or panic-related trauma; no fatalities were reported.
Health officials reported that the hospital wing sustained moderate structural damage, with broken windows and partial ceiling collapses occurring in two departments. Due to these damages, many patients were evacuated to facilities in Tel Aviv and Ashdod for care.
International Reactions
The UN and several humanitarian organizations have demanded an independent investigation of this incident, while WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that hospitals must never become targets, recalling international law protections for medical facilities during war zones.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed deep alarm over the attack and called upon both parties involved to exercise restraint and prioritize civilian protection.
As tensions escalate in the region, Iran continues to respond with increased aggression to Israeli airstrikes on its nuclear and military infrastructure. Following reports of several Iranian commanders being killed during recent Israeli operations, Tehran has increased their attacks by targeting deeper into Israeli territory with missile strikes.
Now, diplomatic talks among Britain, France, Germany and Iran in Geneva aim at alleviating tensions and avoiding further civilian deaths.
Even after such efforts, Tehran and Tel Aviv’s rhetoric shows no signs of relenting, with accusations and counterclaims intensifying and risk of regional escalation remaining serious.