Massive U.S.–Israeli Strikes Damage Hospitals in Iran, Forcing Evacuation of Newborns and Medical Staff

By Reflecto News Staff
April 19, 2026

Intense U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets have caused significant damage to multiple hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country, prompting urgent evacuations of patients, including newborn infants from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Footage and reports show hospital staff and Iranian Red Crescent workers carrying babies and wheeling incubators to safety amid ongoing strikes and explosions.

Iranian officials and the World Health Organization (WHO) have confirmed damage to at least a dozen to over 30 healthcare facilities since the escalation of the conflict in late February/early March 2026, with several hospitals partially or fully rendered inoperable.

Map highlighting key areas in Iran affected by reported strikes, including Tehran and Bushehr, where hospitals sustained damage.

Specific Incidents Involving Hospitals and Newborns

• Gandhi Hospital, northern Tehran: Airstrikes caused structural damage, scattering debris and forcing the evacuation of patients, including newborns from the neonatal unit. Video footage verified by multiple outlets shows nurses carrying infants and wheeling incubators out of the facility as alarms blared. The hospital is located near state television facilities that were reportedly targeted.
• Bushehr (southern Iran): A newborn ward at Shohada-ye Hastei Hospital (also referred to as Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital) was damaged by shockwaves or direct effects of nearby explosions. Staff and Red Crescent workers evacuated specialized-care infants to ambulances for transfer to safer locations.
• Other facilities: Iranian health authorities report that dozens of hospitals and medical centers have been affected, with some completely out of service. The WHO has verified multiple attacks on healthcare infrastructure, noting evacuations and disruptions to critical services, including cancer treatment and emergency care.

Iranian Deputy Health Minister and other officials have stated that over 100 healthcare facilities have been impacted in varying degrees, with civilian casualties, including women and children, reported in the broader strikes.

U.S. and Israeli officials have generally described strikes as targeting military, nuclear, and command infrastructure, with any damage to civilian sites attributed to proximity to legitimate targets or collateral effects. Independent verification of exact strike locations and intent remains challenging amid the fog of war.

Representative image of medical evacuation efforts during conflict; similar scenes have been reported in Iranian hospitals hit by strikes.

Humanitarian and International Concerns

The World Health Organization has expressed alarm over attacks on healthcare facilities, warning that damage to hospitals endangers vulnerable patients, including newborns, pregnant women, and those requiring ongoing treatment. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called for protection of medical infrastructure under international humanitarian law.

Iranian authorities have accused the U.S. and Israel of deliberately targeting civilian and medical sites, while the coalition maintains that operations focus on degrading Iran’s military capabilities. Reports indicate that strikes have also affected pharmaceutical facilities, further straining Iran’s healthcare system.

This development adds to the growing humanitarian toll of the conflict, with thousands of civilians reported killed or injured and widespread disruption to essential services.

Reflecto News extends concern for all civilians and medical personnel affected. We will continue monitoring the situation, including any official responses from the U.S., Israel, or Iran, and updates on the safety of medical facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which hospitals in Iran have been damaged by strikes?
Confirmed or reported damage includes Gandhi Hospital in northern Tehran (with newborn evacuations) and facilities in Bushehr (Shohada-ye Hastei Hospital newborn ward). Iranian officials claim broader impact on dozens of healthcare sites.

Were newborns directly at risk?
Yes. Verified footage and reports show hospital staff evacuating infants from neonatal units, including babies in incubators, during or immediately after strikes.

What do the U.S. and Israel say about strikes on hospitals?
They state that operations target military and strategic sites. Any damage to civilian or medical facilities is described as unintended collateral when targets are located nearby.

What is the broader impact on Iran’s healthcare?
Damage to hospitals, pharmaceutical production, and related infrastructure has led to evacuations, service disruptions, and increased risk to patients requiring critical care.

How many healthcare facilities have been affected?
Iranian reports and WHO verifications indicate at least a dozen to over 30 facilities impacted, with some fully inoperable.

For ongoing, balanced coverage of the U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict, humanitarian impacts, and verified developments, stay with Reflecto News.

This report draws from verified footage, statements by Iranian officials, WHO updates, and international media reporting (including Al Jazeera, Reuters, The New York Times, and others) as of April 19, 2026. Claims of deliberate targeting remain disputed between the parties involved.