The Media Line: Israel Kills Senior Hamas Commander in Strike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza  

Israel Kills Senior Hamas Commander in Strike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza  

By The Media Line Staff  

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel’s Security Agency (Shin Bet) announced that an airstrike targeting Hamas terrorists operating inside Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, killed a senior Hamas commander and other terrorists allegedly planning attacks against Israeli civilians and troops.  

Among those killed was Khaled Abu Anza, also known as Abu Osama, commander of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade. The IDF also identified Mourad Abu Zurifa, whom it accused of participating in the kidnapping of Adina Moshe on October 7, as one of the six people killed.  

Israeli security officials said the operation targeted Hamas members engaged in planning attacks from within the hospital complex.  

“The terrorists were struck from the air to eliminate the threat as they were advancing terror plans against Israeli civilians and IDF forces,” the IDF and Shin Bet said in a joint statement.  

According to the Israeli military, Hamas maintained an extensive operational presence at Nasser Hospital, where it stored weapons, established command-and-control facilities and conducted surveillance of Israeli forces.  

The IDF further alleged that Hamas’ internal security and intelligence personnel carried out interrogations and torture inside the medical complex. Hospital buildings also served as observation positions and shelters for terrorists, the military said.  

Israeli authorities characterized these activities as violations of international law, saying the presence of terrorist infrastructure within a functioning medical facility placed patients, health care workers and civilians at risk.  

Meanwhile, the director of Nasser Hospital reported substantial damage to medical facilities following the Israeli attack. He said a building within the hospital compound sustained a direct hit, damaging both the intensive care unit and surgical wards.  

A spokesman for Gaza’s Civil Defense reported that at least six people were killed and more than 20 others injured in the strike.