An Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza has killed at least six Palestinians, including a surgeon, and wounded more than 20 others, according to Palestinian health authorities.
The attack occurred early Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the medical facility in Khan Younis. Gaza’s Health Ministry said the strike hit the hospital’s surgical department, causing extensive damage to parts of the building and disrupting medical operations.
The dead included a general surgeon identified as Rizk Abu Shaira, who had reportedly been working at the hospital shortly before the attack. The Associated Press reported that at least 28 people were wounded, while Gaza’s Civil Defence service gave an initial figure of 20 injured.
Images and videos from the hospital showed damaged ceilings, scattered debris, destroyed equipment and sections of the building reduced to rubble. Medical personnel and other workers were seen helping injured patients through debris-covered corridors as emergency teams responded to the incident.
A British volunteer surgeon, Goher Rahbour, who was working at Nasser Hospital, said the explosion occurred shortly after midnight and shook the building. He also described heavy smoke inside the facility and said he had worked alongside Abu Shaira only hours before the attack.
The Israeli military said it targeted a senior Hamas commander and other members of the group’s armed wing who it alleged were operating from within the hospital complex.
In a statement, the military accused Hamas of using the medical facility as a headquarters for military activities, including storing weapons and operating command centres. It also said the operation was intended to address threats against Israeli soldiers and civilians.
However, the Israeli military did not publicly provide evidence supporting its allegations, and Reuters said it could not independently verify the claims. Hamas condemned the attack, describing it as a war crime.
The strike has renewed concerns over the safety of medical facilities and healthcare workers in Gaza, where years of conflict have severely damaged the health system. Nasser Hospital is among the few medical facilities still providing services in the territory.
Under international humanitarian law, hospitals and medical personnel are generally protected during armed conflicts. However, that protection can be affected if a medical facility is used to carry out military operations, subject to strict legal conditions.
The attack also occurred despite a United States-backed ceasefire that took effect in October 2025. According to Gaza health authorities, at least 1,622 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes and gunfire since the truce began. Israel has also reported the deaths of five soldiers during the same period.
The latest incident highlights the continuing fragility of the ceasefire and the humanitarian challenges facing civilians in Gaza, particularly patients and medical workers who remain exposed to violence despite the agreement.
Swifteradio.com
