Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills six, targeting senior Hamas official
The Israeli military claims a senior Hamas commander was killed in an overnight attack on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian officials.
By Vanessa Lopez ·
An overnight airstrike on a hospital in southern Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least six people, with the Israeli military stating the operation targeted a senior member of Hamas. The attack took place at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, a facility that has been the subject of numerous military strikes since the war began in late 2023.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the strike was aimed at Muhammad Abu Ismail and other militants who were reportedly operating a command center within the hospital complex. The military stated that Hamas was using the location as a hub for military and terrorist activities against Israeli troops and civilians, although no immediate evidence was provided to support these claims.
Gaza's civil defense service confirmed that at least six individuals were killed in the blast, including a surgeon, while more than 20 others were wounded. The agency reported that several floors of the building suffered severe damage or were completely destroyed. The Gaza Health Ministry specified that the airstrike hit the surgery department, where surgeon Rizk Abu Sharia was among those killed.
Footage reported by Reuters showed extensive destruction inside the hospital, with debris scattered across rooms and medical equipment damaged. Firefighters were seen working to clear the scene as wounded patients were treated in the wreckage and bodies were carried away from the affected areas.
The Israeli military identified Abu Ismail as being responsible for directing attacks against Israeli civilians and troops, as well as holding numerous hostages captive during the conflict. The IDF claimed the hospital was also used to store weapons, conduct interrogations, and shelter terrorists, all of which justify the loss of its protected status under international humanitarian law if used for military purposes.
Hamas has strongly condemned the incident, describing the strike as a fully-fledged war crime. The group maintains that it is committed to the ceasefire agreement that came into effect in October 2025, while Israel argues that Hamas is using the truce to regroup its forces.
The current conflict began in October 2023 following a surprise attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and led to the capture of 251 hostages. Since then, the war has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement within the enclave.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 74,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war. These figures are generally considered reliable by the international community. The devastating impact of the conflict has forced over 1.6 million residents, out of a total population of 2.1 million, to live in tents or other makeshift shelters.
Despite the formal ceasefire, attacks have continued in the weeks since the agreement was signed. Israel asserts that the militant group is attempting to undermine the terms of the deal, while Hamas maintains its commitment to the truce. Hamas is officially recognized as a terrorist organization by the European Union, the United States, and several Arab states.
