An Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza killed five people, including a Hamas political leader, in a targeted attack on Sunday.

The strike hit the surgery department at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said the target was Ismail Barhoum, a member of Hamas’ political office, and the terror group confirmed he was killed in the attack. 

Barhoum was being treated at the hospital for wounds sustained in a previous attack, Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV reported.

Footage and pictures on social media showed a fire blazing on the third storey of what appeared to be the hospital.

The Israeli military said its attack followed extensive intelligence and used precise munitions to minimise harm at the site.