SAFA – At least 155 Palestinian doctors have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, the Palestinian Health Ministry announced Thursday, as another surgeon was killed while treating patients at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis.

The ministry said the killing of Dr. Rizq Abu Shaeera, a surgeon in the hospital's general surgery department, brought the total number of Palestinian healthcare workers killed during Israel's war on Gaza to 1,724.

Abu Shaeera was killed early Thursday when Israeli forces struck Nasser Medical Complex while he was reportedly performing surgery on a patient.

His death underscores the mounting toll on Gaza's medical workforce, where doctors and nurses continue to treat the sick and wounded despite repeated attacks on hospitals, severe shortages of medical supplies, and the destruction of essential healthcare infrastructure.

Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi confirmed Abu Shaeera's death and said medical teams were assessing the damage caused by the strike and its consequences for hospital operations.

Al-Wahidi also reported that 16 Palestinian doctors remain detained in Israeli prisons, further reducing the number of medical professionals available to provide specialized treatment across the besieged territory.

Surgeon Killed as Israeli Strike Devastates Nasser Hospital

The latest attack on Nasser Medical Complex killed six Palestinians, including Abu Shaeera, and injured more than 20 others, according to hospital director Ahmad al-Farra.

Al-Farra said the bombing marked the seventh Israeli attack on the medical complex since the beginning of the war in October 2023.

The strike severely damaged the hospital's surgical building and forced the suspension of critical medical services, including surgery, radiology, and laboratory testing.

The disruption has placed additional pressure on one of southern Gaza's most important hospitals, which serves an estimated one million Palestinians.

Al-Farra warned that the loss of essential departments would further restrict access to lifesaving treatment, particularly for patients requiring emergency surgery, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory services.

The hospital was already struggling with shortages of medicines, medical equipment, and specialized personnel.

The killing of Abu Shaeera has compounded those challenges, depriving the facility of an experienced surgeon at a time when every available medical professional is urgently needed.

His death also highlights the dangers confronting Palestinian healthcare workers inside facilities that should provide protection and treatment for the sick and wounded.

Repeated Israeli Attacks Push Nasser Hospital Toward Collapse

Nasser Medical Complex has endured repeated Israeli military attacks, sieges, and raids throughout the war, leaving sections of the hospital damaged and disrupting its ability to provide essential care.

In February 2024, Israeli forces besieged and raided the complex, severely disrupting medical operations and placing patients and healthcare workers at risk.

In March 2025, an Israeli strike hit the hospital's surgical department, killing two patients and causing a fire that damaged medical equipment.

Further attacks were reported in May 2025, affecting the hospital's burns department and medical supply facilities.

In August 2025, another Israeli strike on the complex killed Palestinians, including journalists, and struck the area where emergency responders were assisting casualties.

The latest bombing has added to the destruction, leaving medical teams struggling to maintain essential services in an already overwhelmed facility.

For patients in southern Gaza, the repeated disruption of Nasser Hospital threatens access to surgery, emergency treatment, and specialized medical care.

Gaza Loses Doctors as Healthcare Needs Continue to Grow

The Health Ministry's figures reveal the devastating impact of Israel's military campaign on Gaza's healthcare workforce.

With 155 doctors reported killed, thousands of patients have lost access to medical expertise that cannot be easily replaced, particularly in specialized fields.

The reported detention of 16 additional doctors has further weakened the healthcare system's capacity to respond to emergencies.

Hospitals across Gaza are struggling with damaged infrastructure, depleted medical stocks, shortages of essential equipment, and an overwhelming number of patients requiring treatment.

The loss of doctors and other healthcare professionals has forced remaining medical teams to shoulder increasingly heavy workloads under dangerous conditions.

Under international humanitarian law, hospitals and medical personnel are entitled to special protection. Attacks affecting medical facilities must comply with the applicable rules governing the conduct of hostilities.

The killing of Abu Shaeera while reportedly performing surgery illustrates the grave risks facing doctors who continue working despite the destruction surrounding them.

For Gaza's patients, the consequences extend far beyond the loss of individual healthcare workers.

Every doctor killed means fewer specialists available to perform operations, treat critical injuries, and care for patients suffering from chronic diseases.

As Israeli attacks continue to damage medical facilities and claim the lives of healthcare professionals, Gaza's already devastated health system faces mounting difficulties providing lifesaving care to a population in urgent need.

Source : Safa News