Israeli Strikes on Gaza Hospital Kill Over 20, Including Journalists from Major Outlets
In a shocking turn of events, at least 20 individuals, including several journalists from various news outlets, were reported dead following Israeli air strikes on a hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The Nasser Medical Complex confirmed the casualties, stating that the attacks occurred within minutes of each other.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health disclosed that the initial attack on Monday led to multiple fatalities and injuries. Among the deceased were Mohammad Salama from Al Jazeera, Hussam Al-Masri, a contractor for Reuters, Mariam Abu Dagga who has worked with the Associated Press, Moath Abu Taha, a freelance journalist, and a crew member from Gaza’s Civil Defense organization.
The Israeli strikes targeted a balcony at the hospital commonly used by journalists for an elevated view of Khan Younis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later issued a statement claiming they conducted a strike in the area of the hospital, but did not acknowledge the direct hit on the facility or the consecutive attacks that followed.
The IDF also asserted that they do not intentionally target journalists, and have initiated an immediate investigation into the incident. However, video footage from the scene reveals the chaotic aftermath of the strikes, with emergency workers scrambling for cover and Dr. Mohammad Saqer, hospital spokesman and head of nursing, holding up a blood-soaked cloth after the first strike.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate denounced the attack, terming it a “heinous massacre” that targeted media and journalistic crews directly. The syndicate also highlighted the tragic loss of Mariam Abu Dagga, a journalist who had been chronicling the conflict for several years despite facing numerous challenges and the loss of her colleagues.
AP expressed shock and sadness over Abu Dagga’s death, along with several other journalists in the recent attacks. Prior to her death, Abu Dagga worked for The Independent Arabic and freelanced for AP since the war began. In a statement, AP commemorated her work documenting the struggles of doctors at Nasser Hospital, where she lost her life.
Hamas condemned the strikes, stating that Israel aimed to suppress journalists reporting on war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and living conditions in Gaza. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Israel has been responsible for the deaths of 192 journalists since the start of the Gaza war, making it the deadliest and most deliberate effort to kill and silence journalists ever documented by CPJ.
Two weeks ago, several Al Jazeera journalists were killed in a strike in Gaza City, including Anas Al-Sharif, one of the network’s most prominent correspondents. The Israel Defense Forces had earlier accused Al-Sharif of leading a Hamas rocket cell, an allegation he vehemently denied.