What Will Israel Demand from Iran After Missile Strike on Soroka Hospital?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu vows strong retaliation against Iran for the missile strike.
- Soroka Medical Center was significantly damaged, affecting emergency services.
- The military conflict between Israel and Iran escalates.
- Israeli officials accuse Iran's leadership of war crimes.
- The medical community demands a global response to the attack.
Tel Aviv, June 19 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday promised a strong retaliation against what he labeled the "terrorist tyrants" in Tehran, following a direct Iranian ballistic missile strike on Soroka Medical Center—Israel's largest hospital—in Beersheba, resulting in serious injuries to numerous patients, doctors, and staff.
As the Israel-Iran conflict marks its seventh day, reports indicate that Iran launched approximately 30 ballistic missiles aimed at various locations across Israel.
One missile hit the Soroka Hospital complex, inflicting significant damage, especially to the older surgical building.
Currently, emergency services are limited to critical cases, while soldiers from the Home Front Command are inspecting the structural integrity of all buildings on the premises.
Netanyahu posted on X, stating: "This morning, Iran's terrorist tyrants launched missiles at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and at civilian areas in central Israel. We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran."
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also condemned the missile strike, directly blaming Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for sanctioning attacks against civilians.
"The cowardly Iranian dictator hides in a fortified bunker while targeting hospitals and residential buildings in Israel. These are grave war crimes, and Khamenei will face justice for his actions," Katz remarked on X.
"The Prime Minister and I have directed the IDF to intensify attacks on strategic and governmental targets within Iran to mitigate threats to Israel and destabilize the ayatollah's regime," he added.
The missile assault has sparked outrage within Israel's medical and political sectors.
Zion Hagay, Chairman of the Israel Medical Association, called the strike a clear war crime, urging for a strong international response.
"The world's attention should be on Soroka Hospital in Beersheba to understand what constitutes a war crime," Hagay stated.
"While Israel targets military objectives, the Iranians intentionally strike civilian centers to maximize harm to non-combatants," he continued.
He praised the hospital's emergency preparedness for preventing a potentially greater disaster.