Israeli Strike Hits Gaza’s Largest Southern Hospital

The Israeli military struck the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the largest medical facility in southern Gaza, late Sunday, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. The strike reportedly hit the hospital’s surgical building, killing one person, injuring several others, and sparking a large fire. The attack comes just days after the facility was overwhelmed with casualties following the resumption of Israeli airstrikes.

Israel confirmed the strike, claiming it targeted a Hamas militant operating inside the hospital. Israel continues to accuse Hamas of using densely populated civilian areas for military purposes, a claim Hamas denies. Medical facilities across Gaza have sustained repeated damage since the start of the war, further hampering already fragile health services.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported Sunday that more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, including over 15,600 children, and nearly 900 infants under one year old. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says women and children account for over half the casualties.

The Israeli military says it has killed approximately 20,000 militants, though it has not provided evidence for those figures.

Tensions escalated sharply after a ceasefire collapsed last Tuesday. Since then, Israel has launched one of the deadliest waves of airstrikes in the 17-month war, with hundreds killed in a matter of hours. The military claims to have “eliminated” dozens of militants during the renewed offensive.

Meanwhile, Israeli domestic unrest is rising, with growing anger directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Sunday, his government voted to express no confidence in the attorney general, a move widely criticized as an attempt to weaken institutional checks on Netanyahu’s power.

On the ground, thousands of Palestinians have been ordered to flee the Tel Al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah, one of the last remaining shelter zones, due to Israeli military operations. Entire families were seen walking to the Muwasi area, a stretch of overcrowded tent camps.

“It’s displacement under fire,” said journalist Mustafa Gaber, describing ongoing tank and drone attacks during the forced evacuations. Amal Nassar, also displaced, said, “The elderly are being thrown into the streets… an old woman told her son, ‘Leave me here to die.’”