A major hospital in northern Tehran was severely damaged following Israeli airstrikes on Monday, forcing the evacuation of patients and medical staff and raising renewed concerns over the impact of the escalating conflict on civilians.
Two witnesses told Reuters that the Gandhi Hospital, located on Gandhi Street, sustained heavy damage during overnight strikes. Video footage verified by Reuters showed extensive destruction inside the facility, including debris scattered across treatment areas and damaged medical equipment.
Footage broadcast by Iranian media outlets showed nurses and hospital staff carrying patients — including newborn infants — out of the building amid scenes of confusion and distress. Witnesses described alarms sounding as staff and civilians worked to move patients to safety.
“The hospital was hit directly. There is blood everywhere,” one witness inside the building told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are moving the injured and children out with our bare hands.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the hospital was evacuated following explosions in the area and said it was seeking further information about the extent of the damage. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said reports of harm to medical facilities were “extremely worrying,” stressing that hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law.
Human rights group Hands Off Cain said at least five medical centers or emergency facilities across Iran have been affected since the start of the latest phase of military operations, though casualty figures remain unverified.
The strike on the hospital comes amid a sharp escalation between Israel and Iran following a wave of U.S.–Israeli attacks on Iranian targets beginning late last week. Iran has responded with missile and drone launches toward Israel and U.S. military assets in the Gulf region.
Iranian state media reported additional strikes on a police headquarters in the city of Rey and damage to the headquarters of state television in Tehran. Independent confirmation of those reports remains limited.
Claims circulating in Iranian and regional media regarding the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint operation have not been independently verified by international news organizations.
Rescue efforts continued overnight at the hospital site, with aid workers warning that the full extent of casualties may not be known for some time.
Source: Reuters
