Airstrike hits Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, killing six

An Israeli airstrike killed six people inside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, according to the territory's Health Ministry. The attack occurred early Thursday and struck the hospital's surgical wing, leaving at least 28 others wounded. Among the deceased was Rizk Abu Shaira, a general surgeon.

The Israeli military stated that it targeted a Hamas commander and other militants at the site. The forces said the commander had turned the hospital into a headquarters, though they did not provide evidence for this claim. The strike caused severe damage to several floors of the building, with debris scattered across beds and equipment.

Goher Rahbour, a British surgeon volunteering at the facility, described the moment the bomb hit. He was on the fourth floor of the surgical department when the explosion shook the entire structure. Rahbour said the recovery area on that floor was reduced to rubble and that the space became extremely smoky.

Rahbour noted that he had been operating alongside Abu Shaira just hours before the strike. He remembered the doctor as a happy and smiling colleague. Rebar dangled from the ceiling where the munition had penetrated the building, indicating the force of the impact.

Nasser Hospital is one of the few functioning medical facilities remaining in Gaza, where years of war have damaged healthcare infrastructure. The Israeli military has previously raided or besieged hospitals in the region, accusing Hamas of using them as command centers. It has also destroyed medical supplies and killed or detained hundreds of healthcare workers.

International humanitarian law protects hospitals and their staff during armed conflict, provided they are not used for military purposes. The Israeli military has attacked Nasser Hospital before. In 2025, it killed five journalists, including AP contributor Mariam Dagga, when it struck a gathering point for local reporters at the complex.

The war in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel. That attack killed around 1,200 people and led to the capture of 251 hostages. Since then, Israel's offensive has killed more than 74,600 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire that took effect in October 2025, Israeli strikes have killed 1,622 people, while five Israeli soldiers have also been killed during that period.