Israeli airstrike hits Gaza hospital killing 5, including a Hamas political leader

Tensions in Gaza have escalated as Israel’s intense military offensive continues, with a recent airstrike hitting Al-Nasr Hospital in Khan Younis. 

The attack, which occurred on Sunday, claimed the lives of five people, including a prominent Hamas political leader, Ismail Barhoum.

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the surgical department of the hospital sustained significant damage in the attack. 

Hamas and Palestinian medical workers confirmed Barhoum‍‍`s death, stating that he was a member of their political office and had been hospitalized following a prior Israeli strike.

The Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed Barhoum as the target of the airstrike. 

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, "Barhoum was the intended target," while the Israeli military refrained from mentioning his name, only describing him as a "major terrorist" linked to Hamas.

Israel’s military stated that the hospital strike was carried out using precision-guided weapons, after what they described as "extensive intelligence gathering" to minimize damage to the facility.

Hamas‍‍` Al-Aqsa TV reported that Barhoum had been hospitalized after being wounded in an earlier attack. 

The militant group also confirmed the loss of another senior leader, Salah Al-Bardawil, in a separate Israeli strike on Khan Younis. 

Israel’s military confirmed Bardawil’s death late Saturday night. Both Barhoum and Bardawil were key figures within Hamas‍‍` 19-member decision-making Political Office. 

Since the Gaza conflict reignited in 2023, 11 members of this council have been killed, according to Hamas officials.

This airstrike follows the collapse of a ceasefire agreement last week. Since then, Gaza residents have witnessed a significant escalation in Israeli attacks, with strikes reportedly becoming more widespread. 

The situation has only worsened as Israeli forces intensify their campaign in both Khan Younis and Rafah.

Gaza’s health officials reported that at least 45 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, further adding to the mounting death toll in the region. 

Palestinian authorities revealed that since the renewed conflict began 18 months ago, over 50,000 people have lost their lives due to Israeli military action.

Israel continues to accuse Hamas of using civilian structures like hospitals, schools, and shelters to shield their operations. 

However, Hamas has firmly rejected these claims, maintaining that they do not use such facilities for their activities.

Videos circulating on social media purportedly show a hospital engulfed in flames, though Reuters has yet to verify the authenticity of these clips. 

The footage illustrates the gravity of the situation on the ground, with civilian infrastructures now becoming increasingly embroiled in the violence.

With both sides locked in a cycle of retaliation, the future of the conflict remains uncertain.

As Israeli strikes expand and the civilian toll grows, Gaza remains trapped in the crossfire of a war that shows no signs of slowing down.