In a coordinated airstrike, the Israeli military targeted the European Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday, resulting in the tragic death of 28 individuals. Local media sources reported that the strike aimed to eliminate Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar.
This attack unfolded as Israeli officials faced mounting pressure from the United States to negotiate a ceasefire and facilitate the release of hostages, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s diplomatic mission in the Middle East.
U.S. involvement and negotiations
On Monday, Hamas released an American hostage after engaging in direct negotiations with U.S. representatives, effectively sidelining Israeli authorities. President Trump characterized this development as a “good faith step” towards resolving the ongoing conflict.
Trump’s Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with families of Israeli hostages on Tuesday, expressing criticism towards Israel for its handling of the situation the previous day. Witkoff conveyed optimism regarding the upcoming peace talks scheduled to occur in Doha, as Israeli negotiators prepare to participate on Wednesday.
There remains uncertainty over whether President Trump will have any interaction—direct or indirect—with Israeli and Hamas negotiators during his visit to Qatar.
Details of the attack and casualties
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the airstrike on the European Hospital, asserting that a Hamas command and control center was situated beneath the facility. Reports from Israeli media, citing military sources, indicated that the strike specifically targeted Mohammed Sinwar, the brother of the deceased former Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, who was killed last October.
“The bombing killed 28 people, adding that a freelance journalist it employed had been injured in the strike, along with dozens of others.”
Additionally, another journalist, Hassan Aslih, lost his life due to a separate Israeli airstrike on a different hospital in Gaza on the same day. Israel accused Aslih, who boasted a substantial social media following, of collaborating with Hamas. At the time of the attack, he was recovering at Nasser Hospital following a previous assassination attempt, according to reports.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has noted that 138 journalists have been killed since the outbreak of violence on October 7, 2023, with the majority being Palestinian, as Israel has imposed restrictions on foreign media access to the Gaza Strip.
Notably, the European Hospital, primarily funded by the European Union, has remained one of the few operational hospitals in Gaza amid a backdrop of prolonged Israeli bombardment lasting over 18 months.