An Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza killed six people and wounded at least 12 others early Thursday, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike, saying it targeted "a senior Hamas terrorist" and other militants, but provided no evidence to support the claim.

The Gaza Health Ministry said the strike hit the hospital's surgical wing and killed a doctor. An Associated Press journalist at the scene reported that parts of the building's second floor had been destroyed.

Nasser Hospital, located in the city of Khan Younis, is one of the few medical facilities still functioning in Gaza, where years of war have devastated the healthcare infrastructure.

Israel has accused Hamas and its allies of using hospitals as cover for military activities. In a statement, the Israeli military claimed Hamas had "established a presence within the hospital complex" and was using it as "a command center for military and terrorist activities".

Israeli forces have previously attacked and raided Nasser Hospital. In 2025, an Israeli strike on a gathering point for local journalists at the hospital complex killed five journalists, including Associated Press contributor Mariam Dagga.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage.

Israel's subsequent military offensive has killed more than 74,600 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government. Its casualty figures are generally considered reliable by the international community.

Israel has continued its attacks on Gaza despite a US-backed ceasefire and controls at least 60% of the enclave.

Since the ceasefire took effect in October 2025, Israeli strikes and gunfire have killed 1,622 Palestinians, according to health authorities. Five Israeli soldiers have also been killed during the same period.