In the landscape of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis stood as one of the few remaining functional facilities. That stability was impacted when an Israeli airstrike targeted the hospital's surgery department, killing at least six people and wounding at least twelve others. Among the deceased was Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira, a surgeon. The attack occurred during the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli military claimed the strike was a precision operation targeting Muhammad Abu Ismail, a Hamas commander, alleging that Hamas used the hospital as a command center and for holding hostages. In a statement, the military asserted they had struck a senior Hamas operative. This claim was met with denial from Hamas, which labeled the allegations "lies of the criminal enemy."
Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills six Palestinians, health ministry says https://t.co/O4PMxOqRYa
The strike on Nasser Hospital was not an isolated incident. The same complex had been the site of previous military actions, including a 2025 strike that killed five journalists. This history of attacks on medical facilities has raised concerns about the protection of healthcare workers and patients in conflict zones.
While the Israeli military maintained they had targeted a military objective, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that the surgery department had been struck.
As is often the case in conflicts, the immediate aftermath of the airstrike was marked by conflicting accounts. While the Israeli military maintained they had targeted a military objective, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that the surgery department had been struck.
An Israeli military strike on a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip killed at least six people and injured more than 20. https://t.co/zBXdjpIOh4
The strike occurred against a backdrop of ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. The incident highlights the continued vulnerability of Gaza's remaining healthcare infrastructure.
With Nasser Hospital now damaged, Gaza's healthcare system faces an uncertain future. The loss of one of the few remaining functional hospitals represents a blow to a population suffering from shortages. As the conflict continues, the protection of healthcare infrastructure remains a concern.
The director of Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza says the hospital has been “paralysed” after an Israeli strike on its main building knocked out its operating theatres, radiology department and laboratories. 🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/jMb5OkIvGH https://t.co/Of2mb0juti