An Israeli airstrike on Sunday struck the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, killing five people, including a key Hamas political leader, Ismail Barhoum. The attack, which targeted the hospital’s surgery department, is part of Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hamas, which it claims is necessary to neutralize terrorist threats.
The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed the strike, while Israel’s military said the operation was based on extensive intelligence and precision targeting aimed at minimizing civilian casualties. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed Barhoum’s death, acknowledging him as the target, although the military only referred to him as a “key terrorist.” Hamas confirmed Barhoum was being treated at the hospital for injuries sustained in a previous strike.
The death toll from the conflict has risen dramatically, with the Palestinian Health Ministry reporting over 50,000 casualties since the war’s onset. On Sunday alone, at least 45 more Palestinians were killed in ongoing Israeli airstrikes targeting Rafah and Khan Younis.
In addition to Barhoum’s death, another prominent Hamas leader, Salah al-Bardaweel, was killed in a separate Israeli attack on Saturday. Both men were members of Hamas’ decision-making body, which has suffered significant losses during the conflict.
The violence follows the breakdown of a previous ceasefire and the resumption of full-scale Israeli military operations in Gaza. Israel’s stated goal remains the complete dismantling of Hamas, including securing the release of remaining hostages taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023.
The toll on civilians in Gaza continues to mount, and international calls for an end to the violence grow louder. European Union officials have condemned the ongoing loss of life, urging Israel to respect civilian lives while simultaneously criticizing Hamas for continuing its attacks. Meanwhile, Israel’s military focuses on eliminating Hamas infrastructure, with operations expanding to areas like Rafah, where residents are now fleeing for safety.
The conflict remains deeply complex, with increasing concerns about humanitarian crises, including food shortages, exacerbated by Israeli blockades. The international community, including UN officials, has warned of the dire risks of further escalation and its impact on the already suffering civilian population in Gaza.
