Israel’s military launched a strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the largest medical facility in southern Gaza on Sunday night, killing at least two people and causing a major fire, as reported by Associated Press. The attack took place shortly when the hospital had already been full of casualties after a sudden wave of Israeli airstrikes earlier in the week. Victims included Hamas political bureau member Ismail Barhoum and a 16-year-old post-surgical patient who was being treated at the facility, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
In a post on X, the IDF stated, “A key Hamas terrorist who was operating from within the Nasser Hospital compound in Gaza was precisely struck. The strike was conducted following an extensive intelligence-gathering process and with precise munitions in order to
mitigate harm to the surrounding environment as much as possible.”
The military accused Hamas of using civilian sites as cover, stating, “Hamas exploits civilian infrastructure while brutally endangering the Gazan population–cynically using an active hospital as a shelter for planning and executing murderous terrorist attacks in a direct
violation of international law.”
Separately, the IDF confirmed the killing of two key Hamas commanders, writing, “ELIMINATED: Deputy commander of Hamas’ Gaza Brigade and the commander of Hamas’ Shejaiya Battalion.”
The IDF identified them as Ahmad Salman ‘Awj Shimali, “responsible for operations, planning Hamas’ offensive strategy, and building the brigade’s force in preparation for the brutal massacre on Oct 7,” and Jamil Omar Jamil Wadiya, “responsible for deploying the battalion’s forces against IDF troops and operated to restore and reorganise the battalion. He was involved in an attack in which Daniel Viflic, 16, was murdered.”
