Soroka Medical Center: A Beacon of Hope Under Attack
- IMFoC
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
A United Effort:
Israel Magen Fund of Canada and Soroka Medical Center Join Forces to Rebuild the Hospital
The Israel Magen Fund of Canada is working in partnership with the Soroka Medical Center to provide direct assistance in restoring and re-equipping the hospital. This collaboration ensures that a foundation of solidarity and generosity from the Jewish community in Canada backs the recovery efforts in Israel.
In the early hours of June 19, 2025, the skies over Be'er Sheva lit up with sirens and missile fire. Among the targets hit in the Iranian missile barrage was the beating heart of southern Israel's healthcare system: Soroka Medical Center. One of the 30 ballistic missiles launched struck the hospital's old surgical building directly. The impact left a trail of destruction, not just to concrete and steel, but to the lives of those who fight every day to save others.
Since 1959, Soroka has been more than just a hospital. It is the only Level 1 trauma centre in southern Israel, a critical lifeline for over one million residents of the Negev region. Located just 40 kilometres from Gaza, the hospital had already been under immense pressure since the onset of the current conflict. In the first 24 hours of the war, Soroka treated more than 680 patients—a heroic effort in the face of chaos.
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But nothing could have prepared the medical team for what happened that Thursday morning. One of the missiles hit a surgical wing that, thankfully, had been evacuated days earlier as a precaution.
"It's a miracle that no lives were lost," said the hospital's Director-General, Prof. Shlomi Kodesh. "There is extensive damage to other buildings as well, but all patients and staff were in shelters."
Hospital volunteer Sarah Bushri described the moment: "We heard a boom. We thought it had hit right inside the department. Everything came apart—glass, ceilings, it all just fell. Thankfully, no patients were hurt, even though shards of glass landed on their beds." The evacuation was swift and orderly, a testament to the staff's preparedness and dedication. Hundreds of patients had already been moved to underground shelters just hours before the strike.
Despite these efforts, the impact was severe. Entire departments were destroyed, critical infrastructure was damaged, and vital equipment—ventilators, hospital beds, monitoring stations—was rendered inoperable.
"We are functioning on a minimal level, admitting only life-threatening cases," said Dr. Asaf Acker, head of the hospital's orthopedic trauma unit. "Many areas will need to be completely rebuilt."
Israeli Health Minister Uriel Buso strongly condemned the attack, calling it a war crime: "The missile fired at Soroka Medical Center is an act of terror. This is a deliberate attempt to harm innocent civilians and medical staff devoted to saving lives."
Amid the destruction, the spirit of resilience at Soroka remains strong.
Alon Uzi, a patient in the emergency department during the strike, recalled, "I was lying in bed when I heard a huge bang. Then an explosion—part of the ceiling collapsed on me, and I was covered in white dust." Though shaken, he was one of many who witnessed the quiet heroism of the healthcare workers who never stopped doing their jobs.
Urgent Needs at Soroka Medical Center:
Rebuilding Lives and Supporting Frontline Heroes
Now, more than ever, Soroka needs support. The hospital urgently requires ICU beds, ventilators, stretchers, and specialized ground vehicles for safe patient transport. Moreover, the doctors, nurses, and volunteers working under extreme emotional pressure are in critical need of mental health support to continue delivering life-saving care.
Israel Magen Fund of Canada (IMFoC) is working hand-in-hand with Soroka Medical Center to mobilize the community in support of the hospital’s recovery. Together, we are rallying the generosity and solidarity of Canada’s Jewish community to help restore and re-equip Soroka Medical Center in this time of urgent need.
You can help. Whether by funding the replacement of destroyed equipment, supporting temporary medical infrastructure, or contributing to mental health programs for frontline healthcare workers, your donation represents more than generosity—it is a commitment to life, human dignity, and the rebuilding of a place of healing.
In this urgent moment, we invite the Canadian community to stand with us. Soroka is not just a hospital—it is a symbol of hope, resilience, and compassion. And now, more than ever, it needs us all.
