Israeli Strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital Kills Six Palestinians, Including Surgeon

An Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza has killed at least six Palestinians, including a surgeon and a 13-year-old boy, while injuring dozens of others, according to Palestinian health authorities.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday, November 12, 2026, hitting the hospital’s surgical wing in Khan Younis and causing extensive damage to one of the few major medical facilities still operating in the war-ravaged territory.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said the strike hit the second floor of the hospital building, damaging surgical facilities and disrupting medical services.

Among those killed was surgeon Rezik Abushira, who had been providing medical care to patients at the facility. A 13-year-old boy was also among the victims.

The attack reportedly injured at least 20 people, with the Associated Press putting the number at 28. Several hospital departments were forced to suspend operations following the destruction.

A doctor injured in the attack, Ayman Abu Obeid, told Reuters that he was working an overnight shift when an explosion struck the building, leaving the area in darkness and causing extensive destruction.

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike, saying it had targeted Muhammad Abu Ismail, whom it identified as the commander of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade, alongside other militants allegedly operating within the hospital complex.

The military accused Hamas of using the medical facility as a command centre for military activities and claimed the group had established a presence inside the hospital.

However, Hamas rejected the allegation that it was using the hospital for military operations. The Israeli military did not publicly provide evidence to substantiate its claims in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

The strike has raised renewed concerns over the safety of medical facilities and healthcare workers in Gaza, where years of conflict have severely weakened the health system.

Nasser Hospital is among the few remaining major medical facilities serving southern Gaza. Its surgical department provides specialised treatment to a substantial proportion of the territory’s population, making the disruption particularly serious for patients requiring emergency operations.

Hospital officials said surgical procedures had been suspended in several areas, while damage also affected radiology and laboratory services.

The World Health Organization’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reiterated that healthcare facilities must be protected and must not be used for military purposes.

The latest attack is also significant because Nasser Hospital has previously been targeted during the conflict. Health officials say the hospital complex has been struck at least seven times since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

In August 2025, an Israeli attack on the same hospital killed at least 20 people, including five journalists and healthcare workers, drawing international condemnation.

The latest incident comes despite a US-backed ceasefire agreement that took effect in October 2025. However, Israeli attacks and other deadly incidents have continued across the territory.

According to Gaza health authorities, more than 1,600 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, while five Israeli soldiers have also died during the same period.

The continuing violence has raised questions about the durability of the truce and efforts to advance negotiations towards a lasting settlement.

The attack has once again placed the protection of hospitals and civilians at the centre of international concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.