Israeli army says struck Hamas commander in Gaza hospital compound

GAZA CITY: Israel's military reported striking a Hamas commander inside the compound of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah on Saturday. The health officials in Gaza announced that Israeli strikes elsewhere resulted in four casualties. This occurrence takes place amidst the ongoing war-torn territory despite a US-backed ceasefire implemented in October 2025 that Israel is still actively targeting Palestinians perceived as militants.

The military stated that they aimed to kill the unidentified Hamas commander who was hiding within the hospital compound and had been advancing attacks against Israeli Defense Force (IDF) troops and civilians. The target was an adjacent structure to the hospital. However, they could not confirm if the commander was killed. The hospital's director, Raed Hussein, reported that there were minor injuries and significant material damage after the strike.

The military took steps to reduce the risk to civilians and had warned medical authorities two days prior about the cessation of using medical facilities for terrorist purposes, according to the military. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) expressed distress over the reports, emphasizing that hospitals should remain safe for patients and medical staff, and called for all parties to respect and protect medical neutrality and protection.

On Saturday, four people were killed in other strikes across Gaza. The Israeli military is investigating these reports. Additionally, Israeli forces killed two people and injured several others in a strike near a roundabout in Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City and one person and critically injured another in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.

The Israeli military confirmed these reports. Since the ceasefire was implemented, Israel's operations in Gaza have resulted in at least 1,313 deaths, according to the Palestinian territory's health ministry, with the Israeli army reporting five deaths and one civilian contractor's death.