Israeli strike kills 6 at Gaza hospital as health authorities report casualties

Casualties and damage reported

Gaza’s Health Ministry said six people died and at least 12 were wounded in the strike. It reported that the surgery department was hit and that one of the dead was a doctor.

An Associated Press journalist at the hospital described destruction on part of the second floor. The Israeli military said the attack took place early Thursday.

Competing claims over hospital

The Israeli military said it struck a senior Hamas member and other militants who were inside Nasser Hospital. It did not provide evidence for that account. The military also accused Hamas of using the facility as a command center for military and terrorist operations. Israel has accused Hamas and allied groups of using hospitals to shield military activity.

A scarce medical facility

Nasser Hospital is in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, and is among the enclave’s few medical facilities still functioning. Gaza’s health infrastructure has been severely damaged during the yearslong war.

Israeli forces have attacked and raided the complex before. In 2025, a strike on a gathering place for local reporters there killed five journalists, including Associated Press contributor Mariam Dagga.

War and ceasefire tolls

The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed more than 74,600 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israel has continued strikes in Gaza despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire and controls at least 60% of the enclave. Since the truce began in October 2025, Israeli strikes and gunfire have killed 1,622 people, health authorities say; five Israeli soldiers have also died during that period.