European Hospital in Khan Younis Struck by Israeli Warplanes
An Israeli airstrike targeting what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called a Hamas command center beneath a hospital has killed at least 28 people and injured dozens more at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The strike has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and international observers, who accuse Israel of attacking a protected civilian site.
“No Warning Whatsoever,” Says Witnessing Surgeon
Dr. Tom Potokar, a plastic surgeon with the Ideals charity who was inside the facility, described hearing “six enormous explosions one after the other,” noting that the attack caused “complete panic” and came without any warning. The IDF confirmed it had conducted a “precise strike” on Hamas operatives, asserting that the group was using the hospital as a cover for a command and control center.
Wounded Include Journalists and Aid Workers
Among those injured in the airstrike was a freelance journalist working for the BBC, who is now in stable condition. In a related incident earlier Tuesday, another hospital in Khan Younis—Nasser Hospital—was struck. That attack reportedly killed two people, including Hassan Aslih, a veteran Palestinian photojournalist.
Aslih was recovering at Nasser Hospital after being wounded in a previous Israeli strike in April that killed his colleague, Helmi al-Faqawi. Eyewitnesses say a drone targeted the surgical wing where Aslih was being treated. He had been accused by the Israeli military of participating in the 7 October Hamas attack.
Israel Claims Target Was Top Hamas Commander
Israeli media reported the strike was aimed at Mohammed Sinwar, believed to have taken over Hamas’ military operations in Gaza after the death of Mohammed Deif. Sinwar is the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader in Gaza. Hamas has not commented on these reports.
Attacks on Hospitals Raise International Alarm
Photos from the scene show large craters inside the European Hospital compound and several buried vehicles, including a public bus. The Hamas-run civil defense agency said rescue operations were hindered by Israeli drone presence. Two first responders were reportedly wounded by quadcopters while approaching the site.
The Israeli military, in a joint statement with the Israeli Securities Authority (ISA), reaffirmed longstanding accusations that Hamas uses hospitals and other civilian infrastructure for military purposes. Human rights organizations have consistently warned that targeting hospitals, even if misused by militants, risks violating international law.
More Rocket Fire and Regional Escalation
In a separate development Tuesday evening, the Israeli army reported intercepting two projectiles launched from Gaza. The armed wing of Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the rocket fire. The latest escalation raises fears of further regional instability as ceasefire efforts appear stalled.
Conclusion: A Dangerous Precedent
The strike on the European Hospital is one of the deadliest incidents involving a medical facility since the conflict’s escalation. It underscores the intense urban warfare conditions in Gaza and raises critical questions about the protection of non-combatants under international law.
As tensions remain high and casualties mount, the global community is watching closely to see if any meaningful de-escalation can occur—or whether the Gaza conflict is entering an even deadlier phase.
Related reading: Human Rights in Conflict Zones
See also: India-Pakistan Conflict: Operation Sindoor and Ceasefire
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