“Horror in Gaza: Israeli Double Strike Kills 20, Including Five Journalists, at Nasser Hospital”
In a devastating incident that has shocked the world, an Israeli double strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, has claimed the lives of at least 20 people, including five journalists working for prominent international media outlets.
The attack, reported by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, has drawn widespread condemnation and reignited calls for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. The strikes, which also killed four health workers, have underscored the perilous conditions faced by journalists and medical personnel in Gaza.
A Deadly Attack on a Vital Hospital
The strikes targeted Nasser Hospital, the primary medical facility in southern Gaza, on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction and loss. According to footage from the scene, the first strike hit the hospital, followed by a second blast that targeted rescuers and journalists who had rushed to assist those affected by the initial attack. The second strike amplified the tragedy, catching many off guard as they attempted to document or respond to the crisis.
Video evidence paints a harrowing picture. One clip shows a doctor standing at the hospital’s entrance, holding up blood-stained clothes to journalists after the first strike. Moments later, a second explosion sends glass shattering and people scrambling for cover. In another graphic livestream by al-Ghad TV, emergency workers and journalists are seen near the hospital’s top floor, where many journalists gather to capture views of Khan Yunis. A sudden strike hits, sending smoke and rubble into the air, with at least one body visible amid the chaos.
Hadil Abu Zaid, a programme officer for a British-based charity, was visiting the hospital’s intensive care unit when the explosions struck. “The killed and injured were everywhere,” she said in a statement. “The scene was unbearable.”
Journalists Among the Victims
The five journalists killed were working for some of the world’s most respected news organizations, including Reuters, the Associated Press (AP), Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye. Reuters confirmed that its cameraman, Husam al-Masri, was killed while operating a live TV feed on the hospital’s roof, which cut off at the moment of the first strike. Another Reuters contractor, photographer Hatem Khaled, was injured in the second strike, according to witnesses. The agency expressed devastation and said it was urgently seeking more information.
AP reported the death of Mariam Dagga, a 33-year-old freelance journalist, saying it was “shocked and saddened” by her loss. Al Jazeera’s Mohammad Salama, Middle East Eye freelancer Ahmed Abu Aziz, and photographer Moaz Abu Taha were also among the victims. Initial reports suggested Taha worked for NBC, but the network clarified he did not, while Reuters noted he had contributed to multiple outlets, including their own.
The Hamas-run Civil Defence reported that one of its members was also killed, according to AFP. The World Health Organization’s chief confirmed the deaths of four health workers, highlighting the toll on those providing critical care in the region.
A Growing Toll on Journalists
The deaths bring the number of journalists killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 to nearly 200, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The organization, a leading advocate for press freedom, has described the conflict as the deadliest for journalists in its records, with more media workers killed in Gaza over the past two years than worldwide in the three years prior.
International journalists have been barred from entering Gaza independently since the war’s onset, forcing global media outlets to rely heavily on local reporters. Some journalists have accessed the region under controlled conditions with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), but this has limited the scope of independent reporting.
International Outrage and Calls for Action
The attack has sparked swift and strong condemnation from global leaders and organizations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the killings a stark reminder of the “extreme risks” faced by journalists and medical personnel in Gaza. He demanded a “prompt and impartial investigation” and reiterated calls for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire.” Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency (Unrwa), expressed outrage, stating that the deaths were “silencing the last remaining voices reporting about children dying silently amid famine.”
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the strike as “horrifying,” while French President Emmanuel Macron labeled it “intolerable.” The international community’s response reflects growing concern over the targeting of civilians, journalists, and healthcare workers in the conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a “tragic mishap” and said military authorities were conducting a thorough investigation. However, this is not the first such incident. Just two weeks prior, six journalists, including four from Al Jazeera, were killed in a targeted Israeli strike near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Context of the Conflict
The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage. Israel’s response, a large-scale military offensive, has resulted in over 62,686 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry, figures considered reliable by the UN. The conflict has caused widespread destruction, displaced millions, and drawn global scrutiny over its humanitarian impact.
Nasser Hospital, a critical lifeline for medical care in southern Gaza, has been repeatedly caught in the crossfire, raising alarms about the safety of civilian infrastructure. The targeting of journalists and health workers has further intensified concerns about the ability to document and address the crisis.
A Call for Accountability
As the world grapples with the latest tragedy, the focus remains on protecting those who risk their lives to report the truth and provide aid. The deaths of these journalists and health workers highlight the urgent need for accountability and measures to safeguard civilians in conflict zones. The international community’s calls for investigations and a ceasefire underscore the growing demand for an end to the violence that continues to claim lives and stifle voices in Gaza.
The loss of these journalists is not just a blow to their families and colleagues but to the global pursuit of truth in one of the world’s most volatile regions. As investigations proceed, the world watches, hoping for answers and justice in the face of unimaginable loss.
