Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills 6, health authorities say

The strike was carried out early Thursday, according to the Israeli military, which claimed it targeted "a senior Hamas terrorist" and other militants operating within the hospital. The military accused Hamas of using the facility as "a command center for military and terrorist activities," though it provided no evidence to support this claim.

The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry reported the strike hit the hospital's surgery department, with a doctor among the dead. An Associated Press journalist at the scene confirmed parts of the building's second floor were destroyed.

Hospital under fire

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis is one of the few functioning medical facilities remaining in Gaza, whose healthcare infrastructure has been severely damaged by the ongoing conflict. Israeli forces have previously attacked and raided the hospital, including a 2025 strike that killed five journalists, including AP contributor Mariam Dagga.

Hamas was using the hospital as a command center for military and terrorist activities.

Ongoing violence

The conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Israel's retaliatory offensive has resulted in more than 74,600 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities, whose figures are generally considered reliable internationally.

Despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire that took effect in October 2025, Israeli strikes and gunfire have continued to kill Palestinians, with health authorities reporting 1,622 deaths during the truce period. Five Israeli soldiers have also been killed during this time.