Israeli Strike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza Kills At Least Five

An Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza on Thursday killed at least five Palestinians and injured over 20 others, according to reports from the Gaza Civil Defence agency. The strike hit the second floor of the al-Yasin building, damaging intensive care and surgical wards. A surgeon, identified as Rezik Abushira, was among those killed. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) stated the strike targeted a senior Hamas member and other militants using the hospital “as a command center for military and terrorist activities,” asserting they took steps to minimize civilian harm. Hamas denies using hospitals for military purposes. The incident occurred despite a ceasefire agreement, with Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 1,600 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks since the agreement, a figure considered reliable by the UN. The BBC and other outlets report the Civil Defence, operating under the Hamas-run interior ministry, is conducting recovery work, supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross. While the IDF claims precision munitions were used, eyewitnesses reported a single missile struck the hospital. There are conflicting reports regarding the exact death toll, with initial reports from civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal stating six deaths, while the BBC and others report five. The BBC is prevented from independently reporting from within Gaza, and verification of details remains difficult. Nasser Hospital was previously struck in August 2025, killing at least 20 people, including journalists and health workers.

Where they differ

• Middle East Eye reported at least six Palestinians were killed, while the BBC and Daily Maverick initially reported five, though all sources acknowledge the number is fluid.
• Daily Maverick identified the killed surgeon as Rezik Abushira, a detail not present in the other reports.
• Middle East Eye noted Israeli Army Radio described the strike as an 'assassination operation,' a framing not found in the other sources.

What is not yet known

• The extent to which the targeted individual was a senior Hamas security figure remains unconfirmed, with local activists circulating claims not independently verified.
• The specific steps taken by the IDF to mitigate harm to civilians, beyond the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance, are not detailed.

Background

• The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, leads the Likud party, which is currently campaigning in a general election [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-23].
• In recent weeks, there has been a surge in violence in the West Bank during the annual olive harvest, including attacks on Palestinians, journalists, and diplomats [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-19].
• The Gaza Civil Defence agency operates under the Hamas-run interior ministry and is responsible for recovery work following attacks [background knowledge].
• Nasser Hospital was previously struck in August 2025, resulting in at least 20 deaths, including journalists and health workers [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-18].

Our reading

Our reading is that this strike, despite IDF claims of precision and minimizing harm, has resulted in civilian casualties within a medical facility, a situation complicated by conflicting reports regarding the death toll and the target of the operation. The incident occurs within a context of ongoing conflict and accusations from both sides, making independent verification difficult. The differing reports from various news outlets highlight the challenges of reporting from Gaza and the potential for information to be shaped by the perspectives of those involved.

What to watch

• Confirmation from independent sources regarding the identity and status of the targeted “senior Hamas member” [BBC, Daily Maverick, Middle East Eye].
• The UN’s assessment of the reliability of the Gaza health ministry’s reported death toll since the ceasefire agreement [UN reports].
• Any further statements from the IDF detailing the specific measures taken to mitigate civilian harm during the strike [IDF press releases].

Was this useful? 👍 0 👎 0

---

Read the original coverage