Israeli airstrike on Nasser hospital in Gaza kills surgeon and five others
An Israeli airstrike on Nasser hospital in Khan Younis killed six people, including a surgeon, and wounded more than 20 others, according to Palestinian reports.
The Israeli military carried out the strike early Thursday, stating it had targeted a Hamas commander and other fighters within the hospital, though no evidence was provided. The attack caused extensive damage to several floors and destroyed part of the surgery department, with videos showing smoke-filled rubble-strewn hallways and broken medical equipment.
Hospital Under Attack
Dr Ayman Abu Ubaid, a surgical specialist wounded in the attack, described the chaos following the bombing. "The bombing caused thick smoke to fill the rooms and fires to break out, amid the groans of wounded and people's screams. There were many casualties and blood everywhere," he said.
The patients in the department were all surgical patients waiting to undergo operations. The bombing happened at a time when they should have been asleep.
Victims Identified
Among the dead was Dr Rizk Abu Shaira, a general surgeon featured in the documentary "American Doctor." His colleague Dr Thaer Ahmad mourned him, stating "Dr Rizk was in the American Doctor documentary operating and serving his people. He lost his life doing that." Another victim was Seif Ghazi Abu Hatab, 29, who was at the hospital for treatment after being injured by debris.
"Seif was a young man in the prime of his life. He wanted to live, rebuild his home and start a normal life," said his cousin Tareq Abu Hatab. "Seif was killed after already losing two of his brothers and his father. His mother has now lost three of her sons."
Healthcare Crisis
Nasser hospital is one of the last functioning healthcare facilities in Gaza, with about 90% of the strip's health infrastructure destroyed or damaged by Israeli bombing. UN experts have described this systematic destruction as "medicide." More than 1,700 healthcare workers have been killed, and Israel has detained hundreds of medics since October 2023, with at least 95 still in custody according to Doctors Without Borders.
Attacking healthcare facilities is illegal under international humanitarian law, though facilities can lose protected status if used for military purposes. Israel has previously accused Hamas of using hospitals as command centers, which the militant group denies. The attack comes as winter rains have increased healthcare needs in Gaza's crowded displacement camps.
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