The Israeli army has subsequently released its initially pending statement on the attack on Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. According to the military, the attack targeted a senior Hamas member as well as additional members of the terrorist organization’s armed wing.
The attack took place in the early hours of Thursday morning in Khan Yunis. According to Palestinian authorities, the hospital’s surgical area was particularly affected. The Palestinian Civil Defense reported six deaths and at least 20 injured. A later report from Arutz Sheva cited at least 25 injured.
Among the fatalities, Palestinian sources claim, is surgeon Rezik Abu Shaira. Khaled Abu Anza was also named as one of the victims. Palestinian sources described him as a senior official in the Hamas security apparatus.
Nasser Hospital – Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson
Israel: Hamas used the hospital for military purposes
According to the Israeli military, Hamas members were present within the hospital complex. The military accuses the terrorist organization of using medical facilities in the Gaza Strip for military activities. Nasser Hospital is said to have been used, among other things, as a command center, weapons depot, and observation post.
The military stated that it had targeted a senior Hamas terrorist and additional members of the organization’s armed wing. The identity of the killed commander has not been clearly publicly confirmed in the military’s reports available so far. The Palestinian identification of Abu Anza as one of the victims also cannot currently be independently verified.
Hamas rejected the Israeli allegations and described the attack as a war crime. No independent evidence for the claimed military use of the hospital complex is present in the available reports.
Hamas uses hospitals in the Gaza Strip for military purposes – Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson
New tensions despite ceasefire
The attack occurred against the backdrop of an ongoing fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Israel accuses the terrorist organization of rebuilding its military structures and continuing its activities in the Gaza Strip. Hamas, on the other hand, claims to be adhering to the agreement and accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire.
According to health authorities in the Gaza Strip, more than 1,600 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began in October 2025. These figures come from the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health and do not distinguish between civilians and members of armed groups.
The Israeli military stated in turn that four Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire began. It justifies its operations on the grounds of the necessity to prevent immediate threats to Israeli soldiers and civilians.
Want more news from Israel?
Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates
