In a significant escalation of violence, Israel’s military targeted the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, late Sunday night. The strike resulted in the deaths of a senior Hamas leader, Ismail Barhoum, and a 16-year-old boy, while numerous others sustained injuries and a large fire erupted within the facility.
The strike specifically hit the surgical wing of the hospital, reported by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, just days after the hospital had been inundated with casualties from previous airstrikes as the conflict intensified. According to Hamas, Barhoum was receiving medical treatment at the time of the strike.
In the aftermath, health officials confirmed the tragic death of the teenage boy, who had recently undergone surgery just two days prior to the attack. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz acknowledged the assault, stating that Barhoum was the intended target and that the military had relied on extensive intelligence to ensure precision in the strike, minimizing collateral damage. However, medical personnel reported significant casualties, and the surgical ward for male patients was severely damaged.
Ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza
The Nasser Hospital, like many medical facilities across Gaza, has faced extensive damage from ongoing Israeli raids throughout the conflict. Recent reports indicate that at least 25 Palestinians were killed in various airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, with multiple hospitals, including Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, receiving numerous casualties overnight. Among the fatalities reported were three women and four children, with some children tragically losing their entire family in one attack.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident in northern Israel near Yokne’am, one person was killed and another wounded during a suspected terror attack. Initial reports indicate that a suspect drove into a bus stop with the intent to harm individuals before exiting the vehicle and opening fire on passing cars. An Israeli border police officer was able to shoot the assailant at the scene. Sadly, a 70-year-old man succumbed to his injuries, while another 20-year-old victim remains in critical condition due to stab wounds.
Ceasefire breakdown and continued conflict
The violence marks a sharp turn from the ceasefire that had been established in January, which had paused over a year of hostilities following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This assault resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 251 hostages. Many of those captives were subsequently released as part of ceasefire negotiations or other arrangements.
The first phase of the ceasefire had seen the release of 25 Israeli hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, negotiations set to take place in early February for the next phase of the ceasefire have not materialized, leaving the humanitarian situation precarious as Israel cut off essential supplies to Gaza earlier this month.
In light of these developments, the region remains on edge as both sides navigate the complexities of an unresolved conflict.