Iranian Missile Destroys Years of Research at Ben Gurion University

Ben Gurion University of the Negev announced that six of its research labs were completely destroyed and nine others suffered damage when an Iranian missile struck the Soroka University Medical Center campus in Be’er Sheva on June 19.

In a statement following the attack, the university revealed that the destruction of the laboratories resulted in the loss of extensive ongoing medical and biological research. “Wiped out years of work on diverse research projects in medicine and biology,” the university said.

Beyond the laboratories, classrooms, teaching labs, and the Faculty of Health Sciences’ dissection room were also badly affected. In total, 30 buildings across the main Marcus Family Campus sustained damage.

While officials are still calculating the financial toll, early estimates suggest that the cost of the destruction could run into the tens, if not hundreds, of millions of shekels.

The missile also caused widespread damage to housing. Fifty homes belonging to faculty and staff, along with 48 student residences, were hit. Of those, 25 faculty members and 41 students were forced to evacuate.

Some of the displaced university personnel and four Be’er Sheva families affected by the strike are currently being sheltered in campus dormitories, the university said.