INTERNATIONAL – An Israeli hospital situated near Tel Aviv sustained direct damage on Monday when an Iranian ballistic missile struck its vicinity, intensifying regional tensions following a series of retaliatory strikes between Iran and Israel. Iranian state media confirmed the missile attack, stating it was a direct response to last week’s Israeli airstrikes on Iranian soil, which reportedly claimed civilian lives during a funeral procession.
The Israeli Health Ministry disclosed that the missile detonated close to the hospital, with flying debris shattering windows and inflicting damage within multiple departments. No patients or staff were harmed, though several were treated for shock and glass-related injuries. Hospital officials now operate under emergency protocols, temporarily relocating critical patients to other facilities. The ministry confirmed, “No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported,” underlining a swift and effective emergency response.
Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, attributed the missile launch to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), describing it as a “decisive retaliatory measure” for the “Israeli air assault” on an Iranian funeral in Syria, which resulted in dozens of civilian casualties. The missile was aimed at military installations, but either misfired or partially deviated, inadvertently striking the hospital—IRNA said.
Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) condemned the attack in no uncertain terms, labeling it an assault on civilian infrastructure and vowing to respond. The IDF released satellite images showing the damaged wings and surrounding facilities of the hospital and maintained that Iran’s actions cross a critical threshold. A senior IDF spokesperson commented, “Targeting hospitals is unacceptable. We hold Iran fully responsible and will respond accordingly.”
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This missile strike marks the most striking escalation since both countries began exchanging covert and overt attacks last year. According to the U.S. security think‑tank Institute for National Security Studies, these tit‑for‑tat actions risk triggering a wider Middle Eastern confrontation that could draw in regional and global powers.
International reaction has been swift. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session to address the incident. Western nations, including the U.S. and EU members, issued strong condemnations, emphasizing the inviolability of medical facilities under international humanitarian law. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the attack as “a blatant violation of international norms” and called for immediate de-escalation.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, Israel’s military officials report heightened alertness along its borders and in its southern region, wary of further Iranian strikes or proxy attacks from armed factions backed by Tehran. Iran, meanwhile, has promised no further strikes “unless Israel escalates.”
Amid this high-stakes confrontation, the hospital remains functional, although its operations continue under stringent safety precautions. For countless patients and staff, the attack served as a stark reminder of how rapidly conflict can disrupt even sanctuaries of healing.
Source: The Straits Time
