In a tragic development for Gaza’s already strained healthcare system, an Israeli airstrike struck the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the largest medical facility in southern Gaza. The attack, which occurred early Thursday, targeted the hospital’s surgery department, resulting in the deaths of at least six people and leaving more than 20 injured.
According to Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Hamas‑run Palestinian Civil Defence agency, the strike caused extensive structural damage to the building. Basal also confirmed that a surgeon was among those killed, underscoring the loss of critical medical expertise in a region where healthcare workers are already in short supply.
Recovery efforts are underway under the auspices of the Civil Defence, which operates within the interior ministry controlled by Hamas. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has provided additional support to aid in the cleanup and medical response.
While the Israeli military has not issued a statement regarding the incident, the BBC has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment. However, Israeli authorities have restricted independent reporting from within the Gaza Strip, limiting external verification of the details.
This strike follows a previous double attack on Nasser Hospital in August 2025 that killed at least 20 people, including journalists and health workers. The continued targeting of medical facilities has drawn criticism from international observers and has raised concerns about potential violations of the ceasefire agreement that was reached in October of last year.
According to figures from Gaza’s Hamas‑run health ministry—data considered reliable by the United Nations—more than 1,600 people have been killed since the ceasefire, with the total death toll in Gaza now exceeding 74,645. The ministry’s numbers reflect the ongoing humanitarian crisis, which has been exacerbated by recent heavy rains that flooded tens of thousands of tents housing displaced families.
The broader context of the conflict dates back to the Hamas‑led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties and 251 hostages. Since then, both sides have accused each other of breaching the ceasefire, with Israeli strikes continuing despite the agreement.
In light of the latest attack on Nasser Hospital, international organizations and local groups are calling for increased protection of medical facilities and a renewed commitment to ceasefire terms. The loss of life and damage to critical infrastructure highlight the urgent need for humanitarian relief and a durable resolution to the conflict.
Source: BBC World
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Editorial note: This is an original news report prepared from the attributed source material with AI assistance. It is not a reproduction or translation of the original article.
