Israeli Strike on Nasser Hospital Kills Six in Khan Younis
- Victims included surgeon Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira and a 13-year-old boy.
- The hospital's surgical wing was heavily damaged, forcing a suspension of services.
- Israel stated the strike targeted a Hamas commander, though he was not killed.
- Over 74,600 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.
An Israeli airstrike hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, killing six people. The Gaza Health Ministry and health authorities confirmed the death toll, which includes a doctor and a child.
The attack destroyed the hospital’s surgery building, according to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. Common Dreams reported the strike also wounded 28 people and involved the use of U.S. bombs.
This event marks the deadliest strike on a Gaza hospital since the election, according to Courthouse News. Al Jazeera described the death of the doctor as part of an expansion of the war on healthcare and called the event a "horrific crime".
The Gaza Strip is a Palestinian territory in the Southern Levant bordered by Israel to the north and east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Gaza City is the capital and largest city of the region.
In 2025, an earlier Israeli strike at a gathering point for reporters at Nasser Hospital killed 22 people, including five journalists like Mariam Dagga of The Associated Press.
Surgeon and child among six killed in surgical wing
The victims included Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira, a general surgeon. Another victim was 53-year-old Khalid Abu Anza. At least one other patient also died in the attack.
The strike heavily damaged or destroyed the hospital's surgical wing, including wards and operating rooms. British surgeon Goher Rahbour, who was on the fourth floor at the time, said the strike occurred just after midnight. Rahbour described the attack as reducing the recovery area to rubble. At least 28 people sustained injuries during the incident.
Military claims of Hamas presence versus hospital director denial
The Israeli military stated the strike targeted a Hamas commander and other militants, though the commander was not among the six people killed.
Hospital general director Ahmed al-Farra denied this, stating no warning was given before the attack.
Suspension of hospital services amid rising death toll
Dr. Ahmed al-Farra reported that surgeries and other services at Nasser Hospital are suspended due to building damage and existing supply shortages.
Israel currently controls at least 60% of the Gaza enclave.
U.S. military preparations and calls for humanitarian aid
Israeli media reported on November 9, 2026, that the U.S. military is making preparations near the Gaza border for the deployment of an international force.
On November 11, 2026, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz called on the Israeli government to permit the entry of building materials and winter supplies into Gaza following destructive floods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- An Israeli strike on a Gaza hospital kills 6 people, including a doctor and a child (kgou.org)
- Gaza Strip (Wikipedia — background) (en.wikipedia.org)
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