GAZA: At least five Palestinians, including a surgeon, were killed and around 20 others injured following an Israeli airstrike targeting the surgical department of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
According to Gaza’s Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal, the attack took place on Thursday morning and caused significant damage to the hospital building.
Medical personnel identified the deceased surgeon as Rizq Abu Shairah. The incident has raised further concerns about the safety of medical facilities and healthcare workers in the conflict-hit territory.
The Israeli military had not issued an immediate statement regarding the reported strike.
The attack comes despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas reached in October 2025 through US mediation. Although the agreement was intended to reduce hostilities, reported Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued.
Negotiations over the next stages of the ceasefire remain difficult, with major disagreements over Hamas’s disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.
Israel is currently reported to control nearly two-thirds of Gaza, adding to tensions surrounding the implementation of the agreement.
According to Gaza health authorities, at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire came into effect.
Israel has accused Hamas of attempting to rebuild its military capabilities, while Hamas says it remains committed to the ceasefire arrangement and has accused Israel of violating its terms.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains severe following months of military operations and widespread destruction.
Palestinian authorities report that more than 74,000 people, including women and children, have been killed in Israeli military operations since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on Israel.
Israeli figures estimate that approximately 1,200 people were killed in the October 7 attack.
The latest reported strike on Nasser Hospital has once again drawn attention to the protection of hospitals, medical personnel and civilians during armed conflicts.
