Israeli air strike on Gaza hospital kills six, including surgeon, amid ongoing conflict and allegations of war crimes
Six people have been killed and around 30 injured in an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The hospital’s director said two missiles struck a building housing surgical wards and intensive care units, although one failed to detonate.
Among those killed were medical staff, patients and their companions, including Dr Rizq Abu Shaira.
Gaza health officials condemned the strike, saying it violated international protections for medical facilities.
The Israeli military said it had targeted Hamas fighters allegedly using the hospital as a headquarters to plan attacks.
It identified Hamas commander Mohammed Abu Ismail as one of those being targeted.
Conflicting accounts over hospital strike
The Israeli military claimed warnings were issued before the operation, but Gaza officials disputed this, saying no warning was received.
Hamas rejected Israel’s explanation, accusing the military of using false claims to justify an attack on a civilian medical facility.
Footage and photographs from the scene showed extensive damage across parts of Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, the largest hospital in Gaza.
Surgeon Dr Mohammed Qdeih described being trapped following the explosion before managing to free himself. He said Dr Abu Shaira was killed in the attack.
Under international humanitarian law, hospitals and medical personnel are afforded special protection. However, medical facilities have repeatedly come under attack during the conflict.
Israel has accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, to store weapons and operate command centres. Hamas denies those allegations.
The latest strike adds to the mounting toll on Gaza’s healthcare system.
Nasser Hospital was also hit in a previous Israeli strike in 2025, which killed 22 people.
The World Health Organization has reported more than 1,050 attacks on healthcare facilities and services in Gaza over the past three years.
Further Israeli strikes killed another four Palestinians later that day, as continued bombardment and recent flooding added to the humanitarian crisis.
The war began in October 2023 following a Hamas-led attack on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and saw hostages taken into Gaza.
Israel’s subsequent military campaign has caused widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis across the territory.
