Israeli Airstrike on Hospital in Southern Gaza Kills At Least Six People

An Israeli airstrike on a hospital in southern Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least six people, according to officials from the Palestinian enclave's health ministry.

The strike targeted a surgery building at Nasser Hospital, where medical staff and patients were among those killed, the health ministry reported.

The Israeli military claimed that its forces had been targeting a Hamas commander and other militants, but the hospital was a civilian facility with no apparent connection to the alleged targets.

The impact of the strike has left destruction in its wake, including shattered ceilings and debris scattered throughout rooms at the hospital, which is one of the few remaining functioning medical facilities in Gaza after years of conflict.

Among those killed was Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira, a Palestinian surgeon who had been featured in the 2026 documentary "American Doctor" for his work providing medical care in Gaza.

The Israeli military has accused Hamas of using Nasser Hospital in Gaza as a command center and storing weapons within its walls. According to the IDF, Hamas had established a presence inside the hospital complex and used it for interrogations and torture. Photos shared by the IDF appear to show weapons allegedly found within the medical facility. The claims are part of a long-standing dispute between Israel and Hamas over the use of hospitals in Gaza.

The Israeli military has repeatedly accused Hamas of operating from within medical facilities, with both sides trading blame over the years. However, hospitals have protected status under international law, making them off-limits to attacks unless there is evidence that they are being used for military purposes. Despite this, several hospitals in Gaza have been targeted by Israeli forces during the ongoing conflict.

Nasser Hospital itself has a history of being hit by Israeli strikes. In August 2025, it was hit by a double tap attack that killed at least 20 people, including journalists and health workers. The incident sparked widespread international condemnation and outrage over the targeting of civilians in medical facilities.

The World Health Organization reports that Gaza's healthcare system has been severely damaged during Israel's yearslong offensive. Of the enclave's 37 hospitals, only two are considered fully functioning, while 18 are partially operational and 17 have ceased to function altogether. The data highlights the dire state of healthcare services in Gaza, where medical facilities are struggling to cope with the demands of a population under siege.

The recent Israeli strikes on Gaza have continued unabated despite a ceasefire agreement reached last October, sparking renewed outrage among Palestinians.

According to the Palestinian health ministry in the enclave, over 1,600 people have been killed since the truce came into effect, highlighting the dire consequences of ongoing violence. This figure is part of a larger toll that has seen more than 74,600 people lose their lives in Gaza since Israel's military operation began following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.

The heavy rains and harsh winter conditions now gripping the enclave have only exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, prompting fresh calls for progress in peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas.