The chief of the World Health Organization has said Israel's Sunday attack on the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, has strained the health system in Gaza.

The Israeli attack on the hospital "severely damaged the surgical ward, killed two people, and injured eight," Tedros Ghebreyesus said Monday on X.

"35 inpatient beds were destroyed, further straining the health system, which is already overwhelmed by injuries due to renewed violence," Tedros noted.

He stressed that "health care is not a target, should be protected, and must not be militarised," reiterating WHO's call for "the release of all hostages and for the resumption of the ceasefire."

On Sunday night, the Palestinian Health Ministry said at least two Palestinians were killed and several others wounded when the Israeli army shelled a hospital in southern Gaza.

The strike targeted the hospital’s surgical ward, claiming the lives of a 16-year-old and another Palestinian while wounding several other patients and medical staff, it said in a statement.

The Israeli army launched a surprise aerial attack on Gaza on March 18, killing at least 730 people and wounding nearly 1,200 others despite a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January.