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An Iranian missile strike has caused severe damage to the Soroka University Medical Center campus of Ben Gurion University in Israel. At least six research laboratories were completely destroyed, and another nine were partially damaged in the attack. The Times of Israel described the incident as an “irreparable loss” for Tel Aviv.
The missile strike occurred on June 19, impacting classrooms, laboratories, and dissection rooms of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Additionally, around 30 buildings on the Marcus Family Campus were affected. The university authorities stated that numerous critical research projects in medicine and biology, built over years of effort, were obliterated in moments.
While the exact extent of the damage is yet to be formally assessed, preliminary estimates suggest losses could range from 100 million to several hundred million shekels. The attack also damaged the residences of 50 faculty members and staff, as well as 48 students. Of these, 25 staff members and 41 students were evacuated from their homes. Four affected families and some staff have been temporarily relocated to the university’s dormitories.
This devastation is not only a blow to Ben Gurion University but also to Israel’s broader scientific and research community. The destruction of long-term research projects in medicine and biology raises concerns about a potential void in these fields in the future.
AI/MR
