Israeli airstrike devastates surgical department at Nasser Hospital in Gaza

In a tragic escalation of violence, an Israeli airstrike on Sunday obliterated the surgical department of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals and left several hospital staff members injured.

Atef al-Hout, the hospital's director, reported that the men’s surgical unit is now entirely non-operational, with the loss of 35 beds and dozens of injured patients left without access to necessary treatment. The Israeli military justified the assault as part of a broader campaign to target a Hamas leader believed to have been receiving medical care at the facility. Following the airstrike, Hamas confirmed the death of Ismail Barhoum, a political bureau member, labeling the incident a “cowardly Zionist assassination” and condemning it as a severe escalation of violence against Palestinians.

The Nasser Hospital, one of the largest in Gaza, has endured relentless assaults since October 7, struggling to recover from a particularly devastating period in February 2024 when Israeli forces stormed the facility after a prolonged siege. The hospital had only recently begun to rebuild its capabilities.

Reports indicate that the airstrike also struck various other sections of the hospital, including the maternity ward and emergency room, rendering the facility inoperative within days. The Israeli forces not only cut off electricity but also obstructed the World Health Organization from delivering essential supplies, leaving hundreds of patients without food, water, or oxygen.

As the conflict intensifies, the toll on civilian lives becomes increasingly evident. Since Israel intensified its military actions in Gaza on March 18, over 700 fatalities have been reported, with women and children constituting approximately 70% of the casualties. This grim statistic reinforces claims that the Israeli military is deliberately targeting civilians amidst the ongoing conflict.