In a chilling escalation of violence, Iran launched a series of missile attacks across Israel early Thursday morning, with one directly hitting Soroka Hospital in Beersheba—one of the largest civilian medical facilities in southern Israel.
The Iranian regime claims it was targeting a nearby intelligence base. But the reality is harder to spin: missiles hit a hospital, civilians were injured, and Iran is now openly attacking civilian centers while blaming the blast radius. Meanwhile, Israel continues to target only military infrastructure in Iran—with advance warnings to civilians.
This isn’t just another exchange of fire. It’s a clear example of the difference between a democracy that values human life and a regime that exploits civilian suffering as strategy.
Iran Strikes Civilian Hospital—Dozens Injured
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Soroka Hospital sustained significant damage after being struck by a missile during Iran’s latest barrage. Emergency services report 42 injuries, including 3 in serious condition. Medical staff described chaos as windows shattered and debris scattered across emergency wards.
Iranian state media attempted to downplay the hit, claiming the missile was aimed at an Israeli intelligence base nearby—specifically, the IDF C4I Command in the Gav-Yam Technology Park. According to Tehran, the hospital was only “exposed to the blast wave.”
But satellite imagery and local footage suggest otherwise. The hospital complex was directly impacted, with flames visible from the roof and emergency evacuations carried out under fire.
Israel Responds: Military Targets Only, Civilian Warnings Issued
In response, the Israeli Defense Forces launched a wave of overnight airstrikes deep inside Iran. But Israel’s targets were clear and unmistakable: the Arak heavy-water nuclear reactor, the Khondab research facility, and a nuclear development site near Natanz.
In each case, Israel issued evacuation warnings in Arabic and Farsi, urging civilians to leave designated areas near sensitive infrastructure.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized, “These strikes are about crippling Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities—not harming civilians.” The air force operation involved more than 40 fighter jets, precision-guided munitions, and coordination with intelligence services to avoid residential zones. It’s not just military policy—it’s moral policy.
Iran Shuts Down Internet, But Starlink Remains a Lifeline
As part of its strategy to clamp down on internal unrest, Iran enforced a nationwide internet blackout, leaving the country virtually offline for over 12 hours. Officials claimed it was a countermeasure against Israeli cyber operations. But cybersecurity watchdogs, including NetBlocks, say the move is clearly intended to suppress communication among civilians and block outside information. But there’s one network Tehran can’t touch: Starlink.
Elon Musk confirmed that Starlink beams remain active over Iran. While the network is online, it’s only usable by those who already possess a Starlink terminal—a flat, portable satellite dish that connects directly to SpaceX’s satellites. These terminals bypass Iran’s telecom infrastructure entirely, offering high-speed internet where the regime wants silence.
Reports indicate that over 20,000 Starlink dishes were smuggled into Iran over the past year, mostly through black-market routes. Activists, journalists, and dissidents in urban areas are using them to maintain limited digital contact with the outside world. But for the vast majority of Iranians—especially outside major cities—the blackout remains absolute.
Satellite phones? No good. They operate on entirely different networks, offering voice and limited data—not the broadband capabilities Starlink delivers.
This technological divide is stark: a totalitarian regime pulling the plug on 80 million people, while just a few thousand with the right hardware manage to speak freely.
Iran Warns U.S., Threatens Retaliation
In the wake of Israel’s strikes and the hospital hit, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned the United States against joining the conflict. “If the United States wants to actively enter the field in favor of the Zionist regime, Iran will have to use its tools,” he said, adding that “all necessary options are on the table.”
A second Iranian official told CNN that Iran’s response would be “unrestrained” if attacked by the U.S.
President Trump has not yet committed to military involvement but is said to be reviewing operational plans with Pentagon officials. Sources say a limited U.S. strike package is on standby, pending final authorization.
Civilian Death Toll Rises on Both Sides
According to the Human Rights Activists group based in Washington, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 639 people in Iran, including 263 civilians and 154 members of Iran’s security forces. Iran has not independently confirmed the updated toll, but earlier reports had already acknowledged over 220 deaths.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities report 24 Israeli deaths from Iranian missile strikes so far, with hundreds more injured.The numbers are climbing. And the lines between military and civilian are being crossed—by Iran, not by Israel.
Global Diplomacy: Talks Planned, But Time Running Out
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the UK are expected to meet with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva on Friday in an attempt to de-escalate the conflict. German FM Johann Wadephul has already rerouted his Middle East trip to prioritize the talks, calling for a renewed push toward a diplomatic solution.
But while the diplomats talk, the missiles fly. And in this conflict, Iran is bombing hospitals while Israel gives civilians a chance to evacuate. That’s not just a tactical difference—it’s a moral one.
Final Thoughts
This war is being fought with bombs, but it’s also a war of intent. One side is trying to avoid civilian casualties. The other is putting hospitals in its crosshairs and blaming GPS drift.
Israel is fighting to defend its people. Iran is fighting to terrorize them.
And that truth is burned into the walls of Soroka Hospital and broadcast by Starlink dishes hiding in the shadows of Tehran.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.
JIMMY
Find more articles like this at steadfastandloyal.com
h/t: Steadfast and Loyal