US-made bomb kills six at Gaza hospital, including surgeon, amid winter crisis

Key points

• At least six people were killed and 40 injured in an Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, including Dr. Rizk Abu Shaira and a 13-year-old boy.
• The strike hit the hospital's surgery unit, destroying critical departments and leaving charred debris; footage showed a US-made GBU-39/B bomb, one of which failed to explode.
• Israel claimed it targeted a Hamas commander, Muhammad Abu Ismail, but declined to confirm his death or address civilian casualties.
• The UN and WHO condemned the attack, noting that over 1,400 people have been killed in Gaza since the October 2025 ceasefire began.
• Winter conditions have worsened the humanitarian crisis, with heavy rains flooding tents and killing at least one infant; the US-led Board of Peace criticized Israel's insufficient response to flooding and aid blockades.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of strikes on Gaza's healthcare infrastructure since the war escalated in 2023. Nasser Hospital has been targeted at least seven times, including a double-strike in August 2025. The current attack occurred during a nominal ceasefire that began in October 2025, which has not prevented near-daily Israeli strikes. Prior to this event, Israel had already killed over 1,400 people in Gaza since the ceasefire began, according to the UN. The broader context includes a severe winter crisis, with heavy rains and sand dune collapses causing widespread flooding and deaths among displaced populations living in tents.

How outlets are covering it

CNN and UN News reported the strike as a violation of the ceasefire and international humanitarian law, emphasizing the protection of medical facilities. The Intercept highlighted the use of US-made weapons, calling it 'active participation in the murder of physicians' and criticizing the lack of accountability. Israel's Defense Forces claimed the strike targeted a Hamas commander hiding in the hospital, but did not provide evidence or confirm the target's death. The US-led Board of Peace condemned the loss of life but repeated Israel's allegation that Hamas exploits hospitals for military purposes, a claim disputed by medical volunteers who cited no evidence of such embedding. Médecins Sans Frontières expressed outrage, stating that attacks on functioning hospitals are never acceptable, while also noting previous concerns about armed men in the hospital compound.

Why it matters

The strike underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing destruction of Gaza's healthcare system. It highlights the use of US-supplied weapons in attacks on civilian infrastructure, raising questions about international accountability. The incident also exacerbates the humanitarian crisis, as winter conditions and aid blockades continue to endanger the lives of displaced Palestinians, with no fully functioning hospital remaining in the enclave.

What to watch

The UN and international bodies are expected to continue calling for humanitarian access and an end to military operations. The US-led Board of Peace may press Israel to allow more aid and winterization supplies, though Israel has refused heavy equipment for cleanup. Medical organizations may face further challenges in operating in Gaza, and the use of US-made weapons could lead to increased pressure on US lawmakers to restrict arms sales to Israel.