Israeli strikes kill 11 in Gaza, deadliest toll since Israeli election

Eleven individuals lost their lives and dozens sustained injuries following Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Thursday, marking the deadliest toll since the Israeli election on October 27, according to Palestinian health sources. The most devastating incident occurred in Khan Younis, where six people were killed in a raid on Nasser Hospital, specifically targeting the surgery department.

Among the deceased was Palestinian doctor Rizq Abu Sheikh, who had been performing surgery on Wednesday evening alongside British volunteer surgeon Jawhar Rahbour. Rahbour recounted the strike, stating, "I was on my phone reading a little, and the strike happened just after midnight. It was very powerful and very quick. The building shook and there was a lot of smoke."

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the attack, claiming it aimed to eliminate "the Khan Younis Brigade commander in Hamas, Mohammed Abu Ismail, and other militants hiding inside Nasser Hospital," although they did not confirm Abu Ismail's death. Abu Ismail was alleged to be responsible for directing terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and military forces, and for holding numerous hostages during the conflict.

Hamas denied using Nasser Hospital for military activities, labeling the Israeli narrative as false.

Beyond Khan Younis, Israeli strikes extended to other parts of the Gaza Strip, resulting in additional casualties. Five more individuals were killed in separate attacks across the region, including one person shot by Israeli forces near Al-Bureij camp, and another killed in a drone strike targeting a vehicle near Deir Al-Balah. A strike on a vehicle near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City claimed the lives of two individuals, while a fifth fatality resulted from a drone attack on a group in Jabalia.

The Israeli military confirmed targeting militants in Deir Al-Balah and Gaza City but denied involvement in the attack on Al-Shifa Hospital.