World Medical Association condemns ‘deliberate’ Iranian missile attack on Soroka hospital

The World Medical Association President, Dr. Ashok Philip, strongly condemns the “deliberate” Iranian ballistic missile attack on Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, which caused significant structural damage and led to the suspension of most hospital services.

“Soroka is one of the country’s largest medical centers, a Level-1 trauma hospital serving over one million people in southern Israel, including many vulnerable communities,” Philip says.

“Under international humanitarian law, healthcare facilities are protected spaces that must never be targeted; such attacks constitute grave breaches of the Geneva Convention,” he continues. “Any strike on a hospital violates international law.”

Philip says that the international medical community must reaffirm its commitment to the neutrality and safety of healthcare professionals in all conflict settings.

“We stand in solidarity with our colleagues at Soroka Medical Center,” Philip says.