Israel bombs Gaza’s Nasser Hospital again, killing patients

Reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Sunday evening resulted in at least five fatalities and numerous injuries. The Gaza health authorities stated that the attack devastated a significant portion of the hospital, necessitating the evacuation of entire departments, further crippling the region's already strained medical infrastructure.

The Israeli military has acknowledged carrying out the bombing, asserting that its target was "terrorists." Among the deceased was Ismail al-Bahoum, a senior Hamas political figure who was receiving treatment at the hospital for injuries sustained in a previous Israeli attack. This operation highlights the ongoing tensions and targeted operations within the conflict zone.

Hamas has condemned the attack as a "cowardly Zionist assassination," accusing Israel of deliberately targeting Palestinian leaders, civilians, and Gaza's already devastated healthcare system. Israel has conducted multiple airstrikes on hospitals throughout Gaza, rendering many non-operational, severely limiting access to critical medical care for the civilian population. Human rights organizations and legal experts have denounced these attacks as blatant violations of international law, emphasizing the need for accountability and protection of medical facilities.

The Palestinian Civil Defense reported that they have extinguished the fires caused by the bombing. Simultaneously, since the breakdown of the ceasefire agreement on March 18, Israel has intensified its attacks on Khan Younis, launching relentless airstrikes that have resulted in hundreds of deaths. This recent event is not the first instance of Israel targeting Nasser Hospital, which has faced repeated attacks and sieges.

From February to April 2024, Israeli forces besieged the medical center, transforming it into a site of mass killing. In early February, medical personnel reported being shot at by Israeli snipers within the hospital, while dozens of civilians were killed outside the premises. A United Nations official responsible for evacuation efforts at the time described Nasser Hospital as a "death zone," underscoring the dire conditions and extreme danger faced by those seeking refuge there. Following the Israeli military's withdrawal in April, Palestinian rescue workers discovered a mass grave containing over 300 bodies, raising serious concerns about human rights violations.

Among those who perished during the siege were women, children, and medical staff – Palestinians who had sought refuge in the hospital only to be met with Israeli bombs and bullets. On Sunday alone, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza resulted in at least 46 deaths, with the majority of fatalities reported in Khan Younis and Rafah, indicating a widespread and escalating humanitarian crisis in the region. The ongoing violence underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the conflict.