An Israeli airstrike killed at least six people at the Nasser Medical Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Thursday.
The attack, which struck the surgery department, also injured more than 20 people, according to Gaza health officials.
The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed the deaths. An Associated Press journalist at the scene reported significant damage to the second floor of the hospital building. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense, stated the attack occurred during the night and hit a building within the Nasser Hospital complex in Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city.
Naseem Hassan, a paramedic and ambulance driver at Nasser Hospital, described the attack via telephone. He said that shortly after midnight, at least two rockets struck the roof of a four-story building in the hospital complex, penetrating the third floor and exploding on the second floor in the surgery section.
The time is now 5:10 We were unable to move throughout the night because the Israeli occupation forces bombed Nasser Medical Hospital. It is the central hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. 6 martyrs so far Around 30 injuries pic.twitter.com/Jjn6xlToMu
Among the dead identified was Dr. Rezeq Abu Shaira, a surgeon. Other victims included Khaled Abu Anzeh, who was identified as a governor in Khan Younis, several members of his security detail, and a disabled patient. The wounded included doctors, nurses, and patients.
Israel Claims Target was a Hamas Commander
The Israeli military claimed it targeted Muhammad Abu Ismail, a high-ranking Hamas commander, and other militants inside the hospital complex. “the commander of Hamas's Khan Yunis brigade Muhammad Abu Ismail and additional terrorists hiding inside of Nasser hospital” was the target of an Israeli military strike, the IDF said.
The IDF said the operation was conducted in coordination with Israel’s internal security service, the Shin Bet, and that measures were taken to warn the civilian population beforehand, though it did not provide public evidence for its claims.
Hamas condemned the strike as a “crime of war,” saying the group respects the ceasefire agreement and that Israel is trying to undermine it.
Attack Amid a Fragile Ceasefire
The attack occurred more than a year after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October 2025. Despite the truce, Israeli military actions in Gaza have continued, and officials in the enclave report 1,622 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began. Israel has accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, for military purposes. The group has consistently denied these allegations.
ISRAEL CONTINUES ITS REIGN OF TERROR IN GAZA. Today, an Israeli strike tore through operating rooms at Nasser Hospital. At least 5 were killed, including a surgeon. pic.twitter.com/MuowKgPBzI
The attack on Nasser Hospital comes after a separate Israeli airstrike near the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City killed one Palestinian and injured several others on Tuesday, November 11, 2026. On that same day, the Gaza Civil Defense reported that seven people were killed in other Israeli airstrikes in the enclave.
Hospital Has Been Targeted Before
Nasser Hospital is one of the few medical facilities still functioning in Gaza, whose healthcare infrastructure has been devastated by war. The IDF has repeatedly targeted the complex since the war began in October 2023 following a Hamas attack on southern Israel.
In August 2025, an Israeli strike on the hospital killed approximately 20 people, including journalists and members of the medical staff. Among those killed in that attack was Mariam Dagga, a contributor for the Associated Press. The Israeli Prime Minister at the time, Benjamin Netanyahu, described that incident as a tragic accident.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-controlled government but whose figures are generally considered reliable by the international community, more than 74,600 people have been killed in the Israeli offensive that began in October 2023, following a Hamas attack in which approximately 1,200 people were killed in Israel.
Israel Maintains Control of Most Gaza
Israel has continued to strike Gaza despite the ceasefire and controls at least 60% of the enclave. Since the ceasefire began in October 2025, Israeli fire has killed 1,622 people according to Gaza health authorities, while five soldiers have been killed in the same period.
Earlier coverage: Israeli Strike at Nasser Hospital Kills Six in South Gaza
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