On May 13, 2025, the European Hospital near Khan Younis in southern Gaza was hit by multiple Israeli airstrikes. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 28 people were killed and many more injured15. The hospital is one of the few medical facilities still operating in Gaza, providing care to many wounded civilians.
Israel said the strikes targeted Hamas fighters and underground military infrastructure beneath the hospital14. They claimed there was a Hamas command center hidden under the building. However, independent investigations and experts have cast doubt on these claims. Videos released by Israel did not even show the hospital but a nearby school, and experts said the supposed underground structures were likely just water drainage marks4.
The Surgeon’s Experience Inside the Hospital
Dr. Tom Potokar, a UK plastic surgeon who has visited Gaza many times, was at the European Hospital when the bombs fell. He shared footage with the BBC showing the destruction and chaos inside5. He described treating patients with severe injuries: open wounds, infections, amputations, and traumatic brain injuries. Some patients were children as young as two years old suffering nerve damage5.
Dr. Potokar said it was frightening to be in a hospital under bombardment. The hospital’s men’s surgical ward was destroyed, with mangled beds and blood on the walls. There were dead bodies in the hospital, and the damage was consistent with powerful “bunker buster” bombs designed to hit underground targets15.
The Human Cost of the Conflict
The attack on the hospital is part of a wider escalation in violence in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes have killed hundreds of Palestinians in recent days, including many civilians5. Hospitals and healthcare workers have been hit repeatedly, making it harder to care for the wounded.
Other British surgeons working in Gaza have also spoken out. Dr. Omar El-Taji described how the European Hospital struggles with limited resources and staff to treat the growing number of patients with devastating injuries6. Dr. Nizam Mamode testified before the UK Parliament about Israeli drones targeting injured civilians, including children, after bombings78.
Why This Matters
Hospitals are meant to be safe places for healing, not targets in war. The repeated strikes on Gaza’s hospitals show the terrible toll of the conflict on innocent people. Medical workers risk their lives to help those hurt, but the violence makes their work almost impossible.
Dr. Potokar’s footage and testimony give a rare and human view of the crisis. It reminds us that behind the headlines are real people-patients, doctors, nurses-suffering in silence. The world needs to pay attention and push for an end to attacks on healthcare facilities.
Conclusion
The deadly Israeli airstrike on the European Hospital in Gaza has caused immense suffering. The UK surgeon’s footage reveals the harsh reality faced by patients and medical staff. Despite claims of targeting militants, the damage to hospitals and civilians is clear. This tragic event highlights the urgent need for peace and protection for healthcare in conflict zones.
