An Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, killed six people early Thursday, Gaza health authorities reported. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike targeted a senior Hamas terrorist operating within the hospital complex.
IDF confirms strike on Hamas operative in Nasser Hospital
The IDF stated the airstrike was conducted against a Hamas cell, including the Khan Yunis Brigade commander, who was using the hospital as a command center for military activities. The military accused Hamas of violating international law by exploiting civilian infrastructure, citing examples such as weapon storage, interrogation sites, and observation posts within the hospital. The IDF claimed precautions were taken to minimize civilian harm, though no casualty figures were provided.
Gaza health officials report doctor among dead
Gaza’s Health Ministry identified the dead as including a doctor, with at least a dozen others wounded. An Associated Press journalist at the scene described damage to the hospital’s second floor. The Nasser Hospital, one of the few remaining medical facilities in Gaza, has been struck multiple times in the past, including a 2025 strike that killed five journalists.
Hospital’s role amid Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
Nasser Hospital remains operational despite extensive damage from prior strikes and Israel’s ongoing military campaign. The Gaza Health Ministry reported more than 74,600 deaths in the enclave since October 2023, when Hamas-led attacks in Israel triggered the conflict. Israel has continued strikes despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire agreed in October 2025, which both sides have accused the other of violating.
International response and ongoing investigations
The IDF reiterated condemnation of Hamas’s use of civilian facilities for military purposes, stating such actions endanger patients and medical staff. Gaza’s civil defense agency, operating under Hamas authorities, conducted recovery efforts with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The BBC noted it could not independently verify details due to Israeli restrictions on reporting inside Gaza.
Background: Nasser Hospital’s history of strikes
The Nasser Hospital complex has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli forces. In August 2025, a double strike killed at least 20 people, including journalists and health workers. The hospital’s surgery department was struck again in the latest incident, raising concerns about the viability of Gaza’s healthcare system amid sustained conflict.