An Israeli air strike hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, damaging areas used for surgery and intensive care. Gaza’s health authorities reported deaths and injuries, including the death of a surgeon. Israel alleged that a Hamas commander used the hospital; Hamas denied the allegation. Accounts of an advance warning also conflicted.
An Israeli air strike hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza. Surgical wards and intensive-care facilities were damaged. Hospital director Ahmed al-Farra said two missiles struck the building and one failed to explode. Gaza’s health ministry reported deaths and injuries, including the death of surgeon Dr Rizq Abu Shaira.[1], [2]
Footage filmed by a journalist working for the BBC showed damaged operating areas, wards and places where medical staff slept. Hospital corridors and lifts were also affected. Nasser is a major medical centre for southern Gaza. The director described extensive damage within the hospital, including the building containing services for surgical patients and people requiring intensive care.[1]
Israel’s military alleged that Hamas commander Mohammed Abu Ismail and other fighters used the hospital as a headquarters. Hamas rejected that accusation. The military also said it had issued an advance warning, while the hospital director said no warning reached the hospital. Independent confirmation of the alleged military use was unavailable, leaving the parties’ competing accounts unresolved.[1]
