Strike Targets Surgery Building
An Israeli airstrike hit a surgery building at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza overnight, killing at least six people, according to the Health Ministry in the Palestinian enclave. The casualties included a prominent Palestinian surgeon, Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira, and a 13-year-old boy identified as Jihad Naeem Muhammad Abu Tilikh. The attack, which occurred shortly after midnight, caused significant structural damage to the facility, leaving debris in wards and shattering ceilings.
Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira was a well-known figure, recently featured in the 2026 documentary “American Doctor” for his work in the conflict zone. Dr. Mohammed Zaqout, director general of the Health Ministry in Gaza, confirmed that Dr. Abu Shaira had remained at his post throughout the ongoing war, stating he had not abandoned his duties for a single day. Two international surgeons from the U.K.-based charity IDEALS, who were present in the hospital during the strike, reported no prior warning from the Israeli military before the explosion.
Military Rationale and Contested Claims
The Israeli military and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) stated that the strike targeted Muhammad Abu Ismail, identified as a senior commander of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade. According to the Israeli military, Abu Ismail had been responsible for holding hostages and using the hospital complex as a command center for militant operations. The IDF alleged that Hamas stored weapons and conducted interrogations and torture within the medical facility, sharing photographic evidence of weaponry they claim was recovered from the site.
Hamas rejected these allegations, labeling them “lies of the criminal enemy” and characterizing the strike as a “war crime.” Under international law, hospitals maintain protected status; however, they have been frequent focal points in the ongoing conflict. Tahani Ibrahim Abu Anza, whose brother Khaled was killed in the strike, disputed the characterization of those inside the surgery building as combatants. She stated that her brother was at the facility for physical therapy following surgery and was not involved in hostilities.
Humanitarian Crisis and Ceasefire Strains
The incident at Nasser Hospital underscores the fragility of the healthcare system in Gaza. According to the World Health Organization, only two of Gaza’s 37 hospitals remain fully functioning, while 18 are partially operational and 17 are nonfunctional. Medical Aid for Palestinians, which supports departments within Nasser Hospital, described the strike as further evidence that the existing ceasefire has failed to protect critical medical infrastructure or civilian lives.
Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025, hostilities have persisted, with more than 1,600 people reported killed since the truce took effect. Both Israel and Hamas have accused the other side of violating the agreement. The total death toll in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, attacks has surpassed 74,600. As winter approaches, the lack of progress in broader diplomatic negotiations has intensified concerns regarding the ongoing humanitarian impact on the civilian population.
Reporting source: nbcnews.com.