Iranian Missiles Destroy Six Israeli University Labs, Damaging Medical Research – Report
Six research laboratories at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba were destroyed in an Iranian missile strike on June 19, according to a report by The Times of Israel. The university confirmed the incident, stating that the attack dealt a devastating blow to years of critical research in medicine and biology. The missiles, part of a broader escalation between Iran and Israel, also damaged Soroka Medical Center, located near the university campus. Officials at Ben-Gurion University estimate the financial loss could run into tens of millions of dollars, not including the long-term impact on ongoing scientific work. Additionally, residential quarters housing nearly 100 students, faculty, and staff were hit during the strike, prompting emergency evacuations and leaving several people displaced. University officials described the attack as a severe setback to Israel’s scientific and medical innovation infrastructure, saying the labs housed research ranging from genetics and immunology to pharmaceutical development. The missile strike marks one of the most significant direct hits on academic institutions in Israel since the conflict intensified, raising concerns about the broader impact of the war on civilian infrastructure and intellectual capital.