An Israeli airstrike hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis early Thursday, killing six people and injuring at least a dozen others, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry said the attack struck the surgical wing of the southern Gaza hospital and killed general surgeon Rizk Abu Shaira.
Several floors inside the hospital sustained extensive damage, with some sections destroyed. Debris covered beds and medical equipment, while exposed reinforcing bars hung from the ceiling at the point where the munition entered the building. Nasser is among the few medical facilities still operating in Gaza after years of war devastated the territory's healthcare infrastructure.
The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike and said its targets included a Hamas commander and other militants. It provided no evidence for that account. In a statement issued Thursday, the military alleged that Hamas had "established a presence within the hospital complex" and that the commander had converted the site into a headquarters.
Hospitals throughout Gaza have faced Israeli military raids and sieges. Israel has accused Hamas of placing command centers and concealing fighters inside medical facilities. Israeli forces have also destroyed medical supplies and equipment, while hundreds of healthcare workers have been killed or detained.
International humanitarian law protects hospitals and medical personnel during armed conflict. Those protections can be lost if a hospital is used for military purposes. Thursday's strike came against the backdrop of repeated Israeli allegations about Hamas activity at healthcare facilities across the territory.
Nasser Hospital has been attacked by Israeli forces before. In 2025, an Israeli strike on a location where local reporters gathered within the hospital complex killed five journalists. Among them was Mariam Dagga, a contributor to The Associated Press.
The Gaza war began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Israel's subsequent offensive has killed more than 74,600 people, Gaza's Health Ministry says. The ministry operates within the Hamas-run government, but the international community generally regards its casualty figures as reliable.
Israeli attacks in Gaza have continued despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire that took effect in October 2025. Health authorities say Israeli strikes and gunfire have killed 1,622 people since the truce began. Five Israeli soldiers have also died during that period. Israel maintains control over at least 60% of Gaza.
