On Sunday night, March 22, Israeli forces launched an attack on Nasser Hospital, the largest medical facility in southern Gaza. The strike, which targeted the hospital’s surgical building in Khan Younis, resulted in one death and multiple serious injuries, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The impact of the attack also caused a massive fire, further endangering the lives of patients and medical staff.
This strike comes just days after the hospital’s surgical unit had already been overwhelmed with casualties from renewed Israeli bombardments. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing war, with thousands more displaced and in dire need of medical assistance.
Israel Acknowledges the Attack
Israel’s military has confirmed responsibility for the strike, stating that it was targeting a Hamas fighter inside the hospital. Israel has continued to defend its military operations in Gaza, asserting that civilian casualties occur due to the region’s high population density and the alleged presence of militants in civilian areas. However, the destruction of 34 hospitals since October 2023 has raised serious concerns over the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system.
Ceasefire Talks Collapse, Violence Escalates
The attack on Nasser Hospital occurs amid an intensification of violence, following the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement last week. As airstrikes continue to rain down across Gaza, thousands of civilians are being forced to flee their homes, with displaced families left under constant bombardment and struggling for safety.
Meanwhile, Israel faces growing unrest at home, as protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government continue to intensify. Political tensions within Israel have been rising, with many citizens questioning the leadership’s handling of the war and its long-term consequences.
A Healthcare System in Crisis
The destruction of Nasser Hospital—one of Gaza’s last-standing major medical facilities—raises grave concerns about the future of healthcare access in the war-torn region. With hospitals under fire, injured civilians have fewer places to seek medical aid, further worsening the humanitarian crisis.
International organizations and humanitarian groups continue to call for an immediate end to the violence, urging world leaders to prioritize ceasefire negotiations and ensure the protection of civilians.