Nasser hospital chief worries Israeli attacks will continue, report says

BEIRUT — A deadly airstrike on the largest hospital in southern Gaza, Nasser Hospital, has exposed the severe damage Israeli forces have inflicted on the Palestinian territory's healthcare system over the past three years, according to a report from Beirut. The strike targeting the surgical wing of the hospital resulted in the loss of six lives, including a surgeon and a 13-year-old boy, and caused extensive damage to operating rooms and patient wards.

Israel's military claimed to have targeted a Hamas commander using the hospital as a base, though they did not offer any proof to support this assertion.

Throughout the conflict, Israel has launched near-daily airstrikes on Gaza, even though a ceasefire agreement with Hamas had been in place since October 2025. The Israeli military maintains that their actions are aimed at militants. Israel's involvement in the region began with a campaign in response to the deadly October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel.

Although direct attacks on hospitals have become less frequent during the temporary truce, Thursday's strike serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to rebuild Gaza's healthcare infrastructure. This incident highlights the devastating impact of Israel's actions on the Palestinian healthcare system and the challenges faced by the people of Gaza in accessing adequate medical care.