‘I Was Lying in Bed… The Ceiling Fell In’: At Site of Israeli Hospital Hit by Iran Strike

Beersheba, Israel — June 2025 Midnight on Sunday Beersheba was in a frenzy of chaos when a hospital was hit by a large salvo of missiles in a deluge launched by Iran. The strike, which reverberated across the region, inflicted extensive damage and injured a number of people, patients and staff among them.

For numerous people within the hospital, it was a night of horror and disbelief.’I was lying in bed… The ceiling fell in’: At the scene of Israeli hospital hit by Iran strike .A hospital in the Israeli town of Beersheba was hit as Iran fired a barrage of missiles at the country.

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“The Ceiling Just Came Down”

“I was in bed recovering from surgery. “All of a sudden, we heard a big explosion — a whole ceiling fell in,” said Avigail Cohen, 46, a patient in the hospital’s orthopedic ward.

She spoke of disorientation, blackout and panic. “At first I thought it was an earthquake. People were screaming. Dust filled the room. I couldn’t move. It was for what felt like forever before anyone came.”

Nurses and emergency medical personnel worked to evacuate patients. Even in shock, hospital workers worked to carry the critically injured to safety.

The Attack: A Direct Hit

The hospital, Soroka Medical Center, is one of the largest hospitals in southern Israel. According to officials, the building sustained a direct hit from one of the missiles fired from Iran.

This missile was part of a larger barrage involving over 100 projectiles, including ballistic missiles and drones. Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepted most of them, but a handful made it through, hitting infrastructure and civilian areas.

The strike caused partial collapse of one hospital wing, blowing out windows and damaging equipment. Thankfully, no one was killed, but at least 17 people were injured, including two in serious condition.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gel0dd5y9o

Iran’s Largest Strike in Decades

This missile barrage is being called Iran’s most extensive direct attack on Israeli soil in decades. Tensions between the two countries have been building over recent months, following Israeli strikes on Iranian military facilities in Syria and Iraq.

Iran claims its strike was a “measured response” to what it calls Israeli aggression. However, Israeli officials labeled the move a clear act of war, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a strong military response.

“We will not allow our citizens to live under constant threat,” he said in a statement on Sunday morning. “Iran will face the consequences of this dangerous escalation.”

Fear Inside the Hospital

For patients and medical staff, the experience was terrifying.

“I’ve worked in hospitals for 20 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said nurse Eliya Ronen. “We had to carry patients on stretchers down the stairs. Elevators weren’t working. The building was shaking. Everyone was crying.”

Doctors continued performing emergency surgeries even as alarms blared and debris fell from ceilings. A temporary medical tent has been set up outside the hospital to care for the displaced patients.

Local Residents in Shock

Beersheba residents woke up to sirens, explosions, and broken glass. Many rushed to bomb shelters, while others hid in stairwells or basements.

“I heard a loud boom and then felt the ground shake,” said Dani Regev, who lives just two blocks from the hospital. “We never thought our city would be a target. It’s horrifying.”

Schools in the region were closed, and residents were told to stay indoors as the military assessed further threats.

International Concern and Condemnation

Global leaders expressed concern over the attack. The United Nations Secretary-General condemned the missile strike, calling it “a serious escalation that risks destabilizing the entire Middle East.”

The United States, Israel’s closest ally, reaffirmed its commitment to Israel’s security. President Joe Biden said the U.S. would “stand firmly with Israel against Iranian aggression.”

European leaders, including those from France, Germany, and the UK, also urged both sides to exercise restraint and avoid dragging the region into a wider war.

Hospitals: A Red Line Crossed

The strike on Soroka Medical Center has drawn harsh criticism from humanitarian organizations. Targeting a hospital is considered a violation of international law, and aid groups have called for an independent investigation.

“Medical facilities must never be military targets,” said a spokesperson from Doctors Without Borders. “Even during conflict, hospitals are protected under the Geneva Conventions.”

Looking Ahead: Retaliation and Risk

Israel has begun mobilizing its defense systems and is preparing for a potential counterstrike. Military analysts warn that further escalation could lead to a broader conflict involving multiple countries in the region.

For now, residents in cities like Beersheba remain on edge, unsure of what the coming days will bring.

Conclusion: A Night to Remember

For the patients and staff of Soroka Hospital, the night of the missile strike will never be forgotten. What began as a routine evening turned into a nightmare filled with fear, destruction, and chaos.

But even in the face of danger, the spirit of resilience remained strong. Nurses, doctors, and ordinary people stepped up to save lives, proving once again that even in war, humanity endures.