The government approved a budget of NIS 360 million to go toward rebuilding the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba on Sunday, after the hospital lacked resources since it received a direct hit from an Iranian missile during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June.
An additional $100 million in donations from Israeli-Canadian businessman Sylvan Adams will also go toward repairing the hospital, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced at the beginning of the government meeting.
The money is planned to cover rebuilding the damage and the construction of a ten-story fortified hospital tower.
The decision comes approximately four months after the hit. In that time, hospital officials had expressed how they did not receive adequate funding to repair the damage.
In September, the Knesset Finance Committee was attended by representatives from Soroka Medical Center, who spoke about the urgency of receiving additional funding to equip the hospital with mandatory equipment and facilities.
Iranian missile caused destruction to several areas of the hospital
The damage from the Iranian missile caused destruction to the hospital in several areas, with a signifgant blow to the hospital’s old surgical building. The hospital had initially received approximately NIS 50 million in compensation from the Israel Tax Authority following the hit.
The added NIS 360 million will be divided by taking NIS 160 million from the Health Ministry’s development budget and NIS 200 million from the state budget, as part of the across-the-board reduction.
Netanayhu said at the government meeting, "We are building our country, developing it."
Regarding the donation from Adams, Netanyahu called him "a great donor to the State of Israel [who] does so with great generosity and wholeheartedly."
"You elevate Israel's prestige in various fields, and you truly make a great contribution," Netanyahu added.
Adams attended the government meeting on Sunday. He said, “It's a great honor for me to donate $100 million for the rehabilitation, construction, and transformation of Soroka hospital into the best and most advanced hospital in the Middle East."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, “Soroka Medical Center is the front line of Israel’s healthcare system in the South, and it has proven its strength and essential role in the most difficult moments of the war.
"The significant investment we are announcing today is not just about repairing damage; it is a clear statement of the government’s commitment to strengthening the Negev and reducing the gaps between the center and the periphery. "