OCHA: Deadly Israeli strikes hit Al-Nasser Medical Complex

25 August 2025

OCHA warns that ongoing air strikes and hostilities in the Gaza Strip – including attacks on healthcare – are causing further civilian casualties and damaging or destroying critical infrastructure.

Today, the Israeli military hit Al-Nasser Medical Complex, in Khan Younis, twice. The Ministry of Health reported several casualties among members of the Palestinian Civil Defense, health workers and journalists. The fatalities included a female journalist, Mariam Abu Dagga, who partnered with OCHA last year on a photo essay depicting the dire situation in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces released a World Health Organization (WHO) colleague who had been detained for more than a month. In a social media post, WHO welcomed their release and called, once again, for the protection of health staff and humanitarians.

With famine conditions now confirmed in Gaza governorate, hunger and malnutrition among children are deepening. Partners working on nutrition note that in any food crisis, children with underlying health conditions are affected first – and without proper nutrition, water and care, their condition worsens more quickly. Less aid means more malnutrition, and the UN and its partners continue to call for the unrestricted flow of aid into and within Gaza.

Today, the Ministry of Health said that 11 people have died from malnutrition and starvation in the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of people who have died due to malnutrition and hunger to 300, according to the Ministry of Health.

Across Gaza, people continue to be displaced while seeking safety and shelter. Partners tracking population movements in the Strip report that between 20 and 24 August, some 5,000 people are estimated to have been displaced from northern Gaza to Deir al Balah and Khan Younis. Some 8,000 others have been displaced to the west of Gaza city. This brings the total number of new displacements since the end of the ceasefire in mid-March to more than 800,000.

Meanwhile, OCHA warns that aid convoys in Gaza continue to face delays, movement obstructions and other obstacles. Yesterday, out of 15 humanitarian missions that required coordination, the Israeli authorities facilitated seven, including the collection of fuel from Kerem Shalom crossing and its distribution to areas where it is needed most. Four missions had to be either cancelled by the organizers or were denied outright by Israeli authorities. The remaining ones were initially approved but then impeded on the ground and only partially accomplished, including the collection of food and vaccines from the crossings.

Partners working on human rights note that as children across the world are heading back to school, many in Gaza are missing out on education. Partners said several education facilities across the Strip – all used as shelters for displaced people – were attacked last week. With local authorities announcing that final exams for over 35,000 high school students are due to be held in two weeks, the UN and its partners reiterate their call for the protection of education facilities in accordance with international law.

OCHA continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages and those arbitrarily detained, who must all be treated humanely. OCHA also calls for the protection of civilians, including humanitarians, health workers and journalists. They should never be a target.