Gaza Health Ministry Reports 1,725 Health Workers Killed in Israeli Attacks

The government media office in the Gaza Strip has blamed Israel and the U.S. administration for targeting hospitals and killing patients and medical staff. It stated that the bombing of Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza is part of ongoing attacks on the remaining health system in the enclave. A statement released on Thursday indicated that the bombing resulted in the deaths of several health workers, patients, and their companions, including Dr. Rizk Ahmed Abu Shaeira and a 13-year-old child. The office noted that Israeli aircraft targeted the surgery department in one of the complex's buildings, violating international laws that protect medical facilities. The media office also revealed that 793 attacks have targeted healthcare facilities, vehicles, staff, and supply chains, resulting in the deaths of 1,725 health sector workers. It emphasized that the targeting of Nasser Medical Complex is not an isolated incident but follows previous attacks on the complex, as well as Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, and other health centers. These attacks have degraded the health system's ability to provide services and worsened the suffering of patients and the wounded. The office further reported that hundreds of doctors and health workers have been injured and arrested, with testimonies from released detainees detailing torture in prisons. The statement also addressed the targeting of journalists at Nasser Medical Complex, noting that Israel's initial claim of targeting a camera was followed by an investigation announcement, which the office deemed an attempt to mislead the public. The office questioned the lack of practical measures by the "Peace Council" and the "Gaza Management National Committee" to protect civilians and medical facilities, demanding clarification of their roles. It urged media outlets to increase coverage of the damage to health facilities and patient suffering, and called on the international community, UN, and health and human rights organizations to take practical steps to provide international protection for hospitals and secure the release of detained medical personnel. The recent bombing adds to a history of Israeli attacks on Nasser Medical Complex, a major health facility in southern Gaza. In June 2025, the World Health Organization warned of the complex's potential closure, highlighting its importance as the last referral hospital in the south. On August 25, 2025, a double Israeli bombing at the complex killed 22 Palestinians, including journalists and civil defense workers, and injured over 30. Doctors Without Borders previously documented the hospital's siege and bombing in February 2024, leading to its evacuation and damage. The ongoing attacks on health facilities raise concerns about patient care amid limited medical resources.