An Israeli airstrike struck the surgery department of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing at least six people, including a surgeon, and injuring 20 others early Thursday.
According to Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defence, the attack caused extensive damage to the hospital building.
The slain surgeon was identified by medical personnel as Rezik Abushira.
Footage from inside the hospital showed damaged rooms, scattered debris, destroyed furniture, and exposed electrical wires hanging from the ceilings.
Rescue workers and medical personnel were seen carrying wounded patients on stretchers through debris-filled corridors, while firefighters responded outside the facility.
A Hamas spokesperson condemned the attack, describing it as a “fully-fledged war crime.”
Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military operations in Gaza, claiming that Hamas is attempting to regroup and rebuild its weapons arsenal.
Hamas, however, maintains that it remains committed to the year-old ceasefire agreement and accuses Israel of undermining the truce.
Gaza health officials report that at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire deal was reached.
Israel, meanwhile, says four of its soldiers have been killed during the same period.
The Palestinian health authorities also reported that the total death toll in Gaza has exceeded 74,000 since Israel launched its offensive in October 2023, following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures.
(Photo Courtesy: Reuters)
