Israeli Air Strike on Gaza Hospital Kills at Least Six, Local Officials Say

GAZA CITY, May 13, 2025 — An Israeli air strike on a hospital in central Gaza has killed at least six people and left dozens injured, according to local health officials and eyewitnesses. The attack, which occurred early Tuesday morning, targeted the Al-Nour Medical Center in the Deir al-Balah area, marking one of the deadliest assaults on a healthcare facility since the beginning of the ongoing conflict.

Local sources reported that Israeli warplanes dropped six bombs simultaneously on the hospital, leading to massive structural damage and panic among patients and staff. The Gaza Ministry of Health confirmed the casualties and warned that the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.

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“We Heard a Roar, Then Everything Went Dark”

Eyewitnesses described the moment the bombs struck the hospital. “We heard a roar, then everything went dark,” said Ayman Al-Khatib, a nurse who was on duty during the attack. “There was smoke, screaming, and total chaos. We tried to carry the patients out, but some were trapped under the rubble.”

The strike reportedly hit the hospital’s emergency wing, pediatric unit, and administrative offices. Among the dead were two children and a medical worker, according to preliminary reports from local authorities.

Dr. Rania Hamad, a surgeon at the hospital, said the scene was “beyond words.” She added, “We have no idea why the hospital was targeted. This is a place of healing, not a military base.”Israeli air strike on hospital kills at least six people in Gaza, local officials say  Israeli warplanes dropped six bombs simultaneously on the hospital, according to local sources.

Israel’s Response

The Israeli military has not yet confirmed the strike, but in a brief statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was conducting “precision operations” against “Hamas infrastructure embedded within civilian areas.” The IDF reiterated that Hamas often uses civilian facilities, including hospitals, to store weapons and shield its fighters.

“While we take all precautions to avoid civilian harm, we will continue to target terror threats wherever they are,” the statement said.

When pressed by international media outlets about the specific targeting of Al-Nour Medical Center, Israeli officials declined to provide further comment, stating that investigations were ongoing.

Mounting Civilian Toll in Gaza

Tuesday’s air strike adds to a growing number of civilian casualties in Gaza, where more than 34,000 people have been killed since the conflict escalated in October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The United Nations has expressed deep concern over what it calls “a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack in a statement, urging both parties to respect international humanitarian law. “Hospitals and medical personnel are protected under international law. Any targeting of such facilities is unacceptable and must be thoroughly investigated,” he said.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The destruction of yet another hospital in Gaza has worsened an already dire health crisis. With more than half of Gaza’s healthcare facilities damaged or out of service, medical workers are struggling to cope with the influx of injured civilians. Aid groups have warned of severe shortages of medical supplies, fuel, and clean water.

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) called the attack “a horrifying violation” and demanded immediate international action. “The world must not stand by while hospitals become war zones,” the organization said in a statement.

Local NGOs reported that over 40 people were treated for injuries in nearby makeshift clinics, many of them suffering from burns, shrapnel wounds, and psychological trauma.

International Reaction

The strike has drawn swift condemnation from around the globe. The European Union issued a statement urging restraint and calling for a ceasefire. “The targeting of healthcare facilities is unacceptable and must stop immediately,” said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

In Washington, the U.S. State Department said it was “deeply troubled” by the reports and called for a “transparent investigation.” However, the U.S. has continued to support Israel’s right to self-defense, a stance that has drawn criticism from human rights organizations.

A Call for Accountability

Legal experts and humanitarian groups are calling for an international investigation into possible war crimes committed in Gaza. “We are witnessing a pattern of attacks on civilian infrastructure that could amount to grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions,” said Sarah Ahmed, a war crimes investigator based in London.

As rescue efforts continue in Deir al-Balah, residents are left to mourn yet another tragedy in a conflict with no end in sight. For many in Gaza, Tuesday’s strike is a brutal reminder of the risks civilians face in what has become one of the most densely bombarded regions in modern history

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