Soroka is one of the largest hospitals in Israel. It serves over a million residents in the Negev region, which covers approximately 60% of the country’s territory.

Throughout its history, Soroka Medical Center has played a crucial role in supporting Israel’s national spirit and served as a medical Iron Dome during military conflicts. Our center has treated thousands of IDF soldiers and civilians affected by wars and terrorism, often under the direct threat of missile attacks.

Since Saturday, October 7, 2023, Soroka has been at the forefront of the effort to save the lives of civilians and soldiers. Our staff has demonstrated unparalleled heroism. When the war broke out, our teams faced an unprecedented number of wounded, more than any other hospital in the world has ever encountered under continuous rocket fire. On the first day alone, over 670 wounded arrived at Soroka, including some 130 in serious and critical condition. Once again, Soroka’s strategic importance and the immense dedication of our medical teams were demonstrated with striking clarity.

In addition to treating wounded IDF soldiers, Soroka was entrusted with other critical tasks, including the national operation to receive hostages released from Gaza. Soroka cared for those with the most complex medical conditions, whether due to illness or injury.

National and international communities in the medical field and beyond have praised the work carried out by Soroka’s staff on what has come to be known as the Black Shabbat and in the months that followed the horrifying events of that day. They have expressed interest in learning from our methodologies and practices and the management and decision-making processes that underpin our staff’s heroic response. To mark one year since the shockingly brutal events that started the war, we will hold a conference in Beer-Sheva on October 10, 2024. We will bring together specialists in emergency medicine, surgery, anesthesia, intensive care, mental health, and rehabilitation from all areas of Israel. Participants will include Soroka teams and representatives of the healthcare system, the Israel Defense Forces, Magen David Adom, the Ministry of Health, academia, local authorities, and other distinguished figures.

The conference will cover topics such as hospital preparedness for emergencies and combat, managing a hospital under fire, coping with extreme events, treating complex medical cases, addressing medical-ethical dilemmas, working with multidisciplinary teams, handling the care of released hostages, research and innovation during emergencies, media issues under fire, and more.