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The Israeli military struck the largest hospital in southern Gaza, Nasser Hospital, on Sunday night, killing at least five people, including a senior political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the strike caused a large fire in the hospital’s surgical building in Khan Younis, adding that several people were wounded. Hamas also confirmed the development, and the Hamas-affiliated Shehab news agency said that the strike killed Ismail Barhoum, a member of Hamas’ politburo.
Israel’s military acknowledged the strike, claiming it targeted a Hamas militants operating from the hospital. Israel has repeatedly blamed civilian casualties on Hamas, accusing the group of operating in densely populated areas, according to news agency AP.
Nasser Hospital was overwhelmed with dead and wounded when Israel resumed the war in Gaza last week with a surprise wave of airstrikes that killed hundreds. Like other medical facilities in Gaza, the hospital has suffered extensive damage due to Israeli raids and strikes throughout the war.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported on Sunday that more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Israeli airstrikes overnight killed at least 26 Palestinians.
The Israeli military claimed to have “eliminated” dozens of militants since ending the ceasefire last week with a surprise wave of strikes that resulted in one of the deadliest days of the 17-month-long war.
On Sunday, Hamas announced that another leader, Salah Bardawil, a prominent member of its politburo, was killed in a strike in Muwasi, which also claimed the life of his wife. The Israeli military confirmed his death.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military ordered thousands of Palestinians to leave the heavily destroyed Tel al-Sultan neighbourhood in Rafah. Displaced families walked toward Muwasi, a sprawling area filled with squalid tent camps. The war has forced most of Gaza’s population of over 2 million to flee, often multiple times.
Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza immediately after the ceasefire ended. The ceasefire, which began in January, had paused more than a year of fighting triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Most of the captives have since been released through ceasefire agreements or other deals.
Published On:
Mar 24, 2025
