Gaza's Largest Hospital Under Fire: The Latest in Israel's Escalating Offensive

Israel's military operations in Gaza have taken a grim turn. A hospital in southern Gaza was hit by an Israeli airstrike recently. This attack left part of the hospital in flames and resulted in multiple casualties. The target was a Hamas operative, according to the Israeli military. The strike hit the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, the largest functioning hospital in Gaza. The hospital was treating Ismail Barhoum, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, who had been injured in an earlier strike. Barhoum and his nephew were killed in the attack. This incident has sparked outrage, as hospitals are supposed to be protected under international law. They can only be targeted if they are actively being used to harm the enemy. The strike is part of a broader escalation in southern Gaza. Israeli forces have encircled a district and ordered evacuations. This comes after Hamas refused to agree to revised terms for a ceasefire. The conflict has been ongoing since October 7, with the death toll in Gaza now surpassing 50, 000. The Nasser Medical Complex has a history of being targeted. It has previously seen intense bombardment and raids from Israeli forces. The recent strike hit the men’s surgical unit, causing multiple casualties. European and American medical teams were working at the hospital when the airstrike occurred. The Israeli military has accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure to endanger the Gazan population. They have vowed to continue operations against Hamas. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Health blamed Israel for the strike, stating that many patients and injured individuals were in the hospital at the time. The situation in Gaza is dire. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has reported that no aid has entered Gaza in three weeks. This includes food, water, medicines, or fuel. The blockade is pushing Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis. The conflict shows no signs of ending soon, with both sides dug in and the civilian population caught in the middle.