IDF Strikes Gaza Hospital, Targets Hamas Commander

On the night of November 12, Gaza officials reported that the IDF struck Al-Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Palestinian sources claim at least six people were killed, including a surgeon and a teenager, with 20 others injured. International media widely reported the incident before the IDF's response. The IDF stated its target was Khaled Abu-Anza, the Hamas commander for Khan Younis, and his associates. Hospital officials cited by international media said the strike hit intensive care and surgical wards. A Hamas civil defense representative stated the dead included a 13-year-old and five men aged 27 to 53, adding that the surgical department sustained significant damage. The strike was likely aerial, though Gaza also reported artillery fire toward Khan Younis. Images suggest the second floor was hit, with damage concentrated in one room, creating holes in the ceiling and floor. Debris included hospital beds and office equipment.

The IDF confirmed in a statement on November 12 that the precision strike targeted Hamas terrorists, including commander Khaled Abu-Anza, also known as Abu-Osama. He assumed the role two months prior, succeeding Muhammed al-Yazuri, who was killed on September 11. His predecessor before that, Raffaa Salameh, was eliminated in July 2024 alongside Mohammed Def, the head of Hamas's military wing. The IDF asserted that Hamas has established itself within the hospital, using it as a base for military and terrorist activities, which it called a flagrant violation of international law and cynical exploitation of civilian infrastructure.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) previously reported that its staff had seen armed men, some masked, in various parts of Al-Nasser Hospital. The organization, which primarily operates in Gaza's medical facilities, stated that the presence of armed individuals led to a difficult decision to suspend activities at the hospital, the largest functioning facility in the strip. MSF noted that after a ceasefire, the situation worsened, with reports of intimidation, arbitrary detention of patients, and suspected movement of military equipment, posing significant security threats to their teams and patients.

Separately, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at a UN climate conference in Antalya, called the events in Gaza "genocide and ecocide," receiving applause from the audience. Israel's Foreign Ministry accused Erdogan on X of using the international forum to promote an anti-Israel campaign of lies and support Hamas.