Jerusalem, 12 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Khaled Suleiman Abu Anza, commander of Hamas’ Khan Yunis Brigade and a veteran member of the terrorist organization’s military wing, was the target of an Israeli airstrike at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, in an operation aimed at disrupting Hamas’ military command structure. His elimination has not yet been confirmed.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) said the strike, carried out overnight Wednesday, also targeted additional Hamas terrorists operating inside the hospital complex.
According to the military, intelligence indicated that Hamas had established a military presence at Nasser Hospital, using the complex to coordinate operations. The IDF said the facility contained weapons, command-and-control rooms and observation posts, while Hamas’ internal security and intelligence personnel allegedly conducted interrogations and torture there.
The military accused Hamas of deliberately placing military infrastructure among civilians, describing the practice as a “blatant violation of international law and a cynical exploitation of civilian infrastructure.”
The IDF said it used precision munitions and aerial surveillance to reduce the risk to civilians. It also said that patients, medical staff and other civilians were endangered by Hamas’ use of the hospital for military purposes.
Gaza-based reports said at least six people were killed and more than 20 wounded. Those reportedly killed included a surgeon and a teenager. The figures have not been independently verified.
Abu Anza’s appointment followed the assassination of his predecessor, Muhammad Yazuri, in September. Before Yazuri, the brigade was commanded by Rafah Salameh, who was killed in July 2024 alongside Hamas military wing chief Muhammad Deif.
Abu Anza had been involved in Hamas’ military wing for more than two decades and was regarded as one of its remaining senior field commanders.
Israeli agencies previously cited Hamas military activity at the hospital compound. In August, Israel accused Hamas of conducting security interrogations and torturing Palestinians in Nasser Hospital’s outpatient clinic.
In May 2025, Israel struck terrorists in a command and control center located inside the hospital compound. Ismail Barhoum, a member of the Hamas politburo and the terror group’s financial chief, was killed in a separate strike on the compound that year.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected criticism of the government’s authority to order military action, declaring that security decisions would not be subject to approval from opposition figures.
“Israeli security is not in transition and is not waiting for the political processes that are taking place in parallel,” Katz said.
“There is one prime minister, one defense minister who guides the IDF – and one government that is responsible for making decisions regarding Israel’s security,” he added.