Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills at least six, including doctor and…
An Israeli airstrike destroyed the surgical department of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, killing at least six people and wounding dozens, as the IDF stated it targeted a Hamas commander.
An Israeli airstrike on the surgical wing of Gaza’s Nasser Hospital overnight Thursday killed at least six people, including a surgeon and a teenager, and wounded dozens more.
Military Strike Destroys Surgical Wing at Khan Younis Facility
An Israeli airstrike hit the surgical department of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis shortly after midnight on Thursday, November 12, 2026, according to Palestinian officials, medics, and witnesses. The munitions tore through the building, collapsing a recovery area and scattering charred debris, mangled furniture, and medical equipment across the wards.
British surgeon Goher Rahbour, who was volunteering on the fourth floor of the surgical department, stated that the explosion shook the entire building and left the area filled with smoke. Dr. Ahmed al-Farra, the general director of the hospital, reported that no warning preceded the attack, which knocked the surgery department out of service and forced the suspension of operations in the radiology and laboratory units.
The strike killed 52-year-old Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira—a general surgeon who was featured in a 2026 documentary, "American Doctor," working alongside visiting U.S. Doctors—and a 13-year-old boy who was supposed to have surgery. Estimates of the wounded varied across reports, with sources citing between 20 and 40 injuries, including multiple doctors in critical condition.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Strike | Thursday, November 12, 2026 |
| Location | Nasser Hospital, Khan Younis, southern Gaza |
| Fatalities | At least 6 people |
| Injuries | 20 to 40 people wounded (reports vary) |
| Named Dead | Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira (52), 13-year-old boy |
| Target Cited by IDF | Muhammad Abu Ismail (Hamas Khan Younis Brigade commander) |
Israeli Military and Palestinian Authorities Clash Over Hospital Use
The Israel Defense Forces defended the operation by issuing a statement asserting that they targeted Muhammad Abu Ismail, described as the commander of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade, alongside "additional terrorists who were hiding inside the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis." The military accused Hamas of turning the hospital compound into a headquarters and operating from there. Hamas rejected the military's claims.
Under international law, hospitals are protected sites. Both attacking hospitals and their use for military purposes are typically considered breaches of the law. Rights groups say Israel has not shown sufficient evidence in many cases to justify its attacks on medical facilities during the war.
The facility has faced repeated strikes in previous years. Hospital officials noted that the complex was struck in August 2025 by a double-tap attack that killed at least 20 people, including journalists and health workers, and an attack in 2025 killed five journalists, including AP contributor Mariam Dagga.
Ceasefire Strains and Broader Casualties Across the Enclave
The latest hospital strike occurred against the backdrop of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that took effect in October 2025. According to Gaza health authorities, more than 1,600 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire went into effect, while five Israeli soldiers have been killed during the same period.
Separate incidents reported by medics included an Israeli airstrike on a car in Gaza City and gunfire in central Gaza's Bureij refugee camp that resulted in further casualties. Meanwhile, international bodies have noted challenges regarding winterization supplies, and Israel's Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories stated that "the reconstruction of Gaza can only begin after Hamas fully disarms."
As medical personnel assess the structural damage to Nasser Hospital, health officials warn that surrounding facilities are not equipped to do the type of specialized surgeries that Nasser Hospital had been providing, leaving patients in need facing an unknown fate.
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