Strike hits surgical building at southern Gaza hospital, leaving six dead
A medical worker inspects extensive damage inside a debris-strewn room following the strike at Nasser Hospital.
An overnight military strike hit a building containing surgical wards and intensive care units at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, killing six people and injuring roughly 30 others. The attack drew conflicting statements, with health officials condemning a violation of medical infrastructure while military authorities alleged the facility was used as a command center. Medical staff trapped under rubble described narrow escapes and the loss of colleagues, including a surgeon.
- WhenOvernight leading into Thursday
- WhereNasser Hospital, Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip
- CasualtiesSix killed, about 30 injured according to health officials (at least a dozen according to alternative reports)
- Target siteal-Yasin surgery building and second floor
- Military justificationTargeting a senior Hamas commander and fighters allegedly using the hospital as a headquarters
Photos
9 photosWhat happened
Two missiles struck a five-storey building housing surgical wards and intensive care units at the Nasser Medical Complex, which serves as the largest medical facility in southern Gaza. Local health officials stated that one of the missiles failed to explode upon impact.
The strike caused extensive structural damage across the second floor, shattering operating theatres, wards, sleeping quarters for medics, hallways, and lifts. Medical equipment and hospital beds were thrown into disarray amidst thick smoke and debris.
An unexploded missile rests on a hospital bed alongside debris collected from the scene.
How it unfolded
Medical personnel had just finished their shifts around 00:30 and were preparing for sleep when the explosion shook the department. Survivors reported being trapped beneath heavy rubble in total darkness before managing to crawl free.
While military authorities maintained they issued advance warnings prior to the targeted operation, the hospital director firmly insisted that no prior warnings had been received.
Medical staff and mourners gather outside the hospital to mourn the victims.
The people involved
The dead included medical staff, patients, and companions, among them surgeon Dr Rizq Abu Shaira. Surviving colleagues remembered him as a dedicated and kind practitioner.
Among the injured was general surgery specialist Dr Mohammed Qdeih, who sustained head injuries and managed to dig himself out from beneath fallen debris. Other staff members suffered injuries including broken bones.
Response and aftermath
The health ministry condemned the attack as a flagrant violation of international laws protecting medical facilities. Meanwhile, the military defended the action as a precise strike aimed at removing threats posed by combatants allegedly operating from inside the hospital compound.
International agencies and health representatives reiterated that healthcare facilities must remain protected lifelines and should never be militarized or subjected to attacks.
What we still don't know
Exact details regarding whether all targeted commanders were hit remain unconfirmed by independent verifiers, as international news organizations lack direct access to the territory. The precise mechanical reason why one of the missiles failed to detonate has also not been officially established.