Top Gaza Nurse Has Extensive Ties to Hamas
Khalil Al-Daqran, head of Gaza's Nursing Syndicate, has fueled allegations that Israel is targeting Gaza’s health system. Yet his social media reveals strong ties to Hamas, undermining his credibility
Since the beginning of the Hamas-Israel War, Khalil Al-Daqran, the head of the Nursing Syndicate in Gaza, has been central to allegations that Israel is intentionally targeting Gaza’s health system, frequently offering unverifiable data and warnings to international press. On June 4, 2025, he told the media that an estimated 50,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are at serious risk — despite enormous quantities of aid entering Gaza over the last week through the new U.S.-backed aid distribution mechanism.
However, a recent investigation by Jewish Onliner revealed Al-Daqran's extensive ties to Hamas. His social media activity shows him attending Hamas rallies, shaking hands with Hamas leaders, promoting the group’s propaganda, and celebrating terrorism. These findings suggest that Al-Daqran’s influential role as a healthcare spokesman is deeply intertwined with his political allegiance to Hamas, raising significant questions not only about the credibility of his statements but also about how Gaza's healthcare system has been used as a cover for military activity by Hamas.
Al-Daqran Pictured with Hamas Leaders
Al-Daqran holds multiple leadership positions within Gaza’s healthcare sector. His Facebook profile lists him as the “Head of Nurses at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital” and the “Head of the Nurse Syndicate” of Gaza. These titles highlight his significant influence as one of Gaza’s most prominent healthcare figures. Two particularly striking images show Al-Daqran shaking hands with Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, two former Hamas leaders, both of whom were among the architects of the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre.
Al-Daqran was also photographed attending a Hamas rally, where one of the photos shows him standing in front of a banner featuring an armed Hamas terrorist. In another image, Al-Daqran is seen standing alongside a poster with the Hamas logo on it and a photo of Hassan Salameh, a high-ranking Hamas military leader. Salameh was imprisoned by Israel for planning attacks that resulted in the deaths of approximately 100 Israelis, further underscoring Al-Daqran’s alignment with Hamas and its violent actions.
Al-Daqran’s Celebration of Hamas Terrorism
On October 7, 2023, the day of the Hamas massacre, Al-Daqran posted messages on his Facebook page celebrating the attack, including one that read, “O Allah, protect our fighters” and another urging, “defeat the Jews and grant us victory over them.”
His Facebook page also includes numerous posts praising individuals involved in terrorist activities, particularly those associated with Hamas and the Al-Qassam Brigades. For instance, Al-Daqran has lauded Hamas military chief Muhammad Deif and Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin. Additionally, Al-Daqran frequently refers to members of the Al-Qassam Brigades as “martyrs” and celebrates their violent actions. His social media also includes posts praising former leaders of the U.S.-designated terror group, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), such as Bahaa Abu Al-Ata.
Al-Daqran’s Family Connection to Hamas’ Military Wing
In another post, Al-Daqran’s eulogized his nephew, Samir Ali al-Daqran, who appears to have been a former fighter in the Al-Qassam Brigades. This personal connection to a Hamas fighter further solidifies Al-Daqran’s deep ties to the terror group, revealing the extent to which Hamas’s ideology is woven into his personal and professional life.
Skewed Media Coverage and Confusion About Al-Daqran’s Role
Western media outlets have struggled to consistently define Al-Daqran’s role within Gaza’s health system, often referring to him by varying titles. A France 24 article from April 27, 2025, referred to him as the “spokesman for the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital,” while another France 24 article from July 27, 2024, described him as the “hospital director.” Similarly, a Middle East Eye article from March 20, 2025, called him the “spokesperson for the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip.”
These inconsistencies suggest that many media outlets lack a comprehensive understanding of the situation in Gaza, relying on unverified sources or official titles that fail to reflect the reality of Al-Daqran's involvement in Hamas. His ever-changing role in media reports points to the confusion surrounding Gaza's healthcare leadership and the need for deeper scrutiny of those who represent it.
Al-Daqran’s role as a top nurse in Gaza inextricably linked to his deep ties with Hamas. His public statements, which align closely with Hamas’s narrative, are shaped by his personal and professional connections to the group. Given his outspoken support for Hamas and its ideology, it is crucial to critically assess the information coming from Gaza’s healthcare system, which is heavily influenced by Hamas's terrorist agenda.