An Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza killed at least 19 people on Monday, including four journalists and a civil defense worker. Health officials also confirmed dozens of others were wounded in the attack.
According to local authorities, the strike targeted the fourth floor of the hospital in Khan Younis. Reports said it was a double-tap strike, with one missile hitting first, followed by another as rescuers rushed to the scene.
Journalists Among the Victims
The attack killed four journalists: Hossam al-Masri, Mohammed Salama, Maryam Abu Daqqa, and Moaz Abu Taha. Al-Masri was a longtime reporter, while Salama worked for regional media. Abu Daqqa was a freelance journalist who had contributed to international outlets during the war. Taha was also covering the conflict independently.
Additionally, photographer Hatem Khaled was injured, along with another journalist, Haithem Omar. Both had been reporting from the hospital at the time of the strike.
Pattern of Strikes on Medical Facilities
This is not the first time Nasser Hospital has been hit. In June, an Israeli strike on the same hospital killed three people and wounded ten others. Israel claimed militants were using the facility as a command center, though no evidence was provided.
Hospitals across Gaza have repeatedly come under attack during the conflict. Israel has often justified the strikes by alleging that Hamas fighters operate from within medical centers. However, critics argue these actions severely endanger civilians and frontline medical staff.
Mounting Concerns Over Journalists’ Safety
The killing of journalists has drawn international concern. Just two weeks earlier, an Israeli strike killed five reporters, including a well-known correspondent. At the time, Israel accused them of having militant ties, but no verifiable evidence was released.
Observers note that the deaths of journalists in Gaza have raised fears of targeted attacks on the press. Media watchdog groups have repeatedly called for protection of journalists covering the war.
Broader Humanitarian Crisis
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire after nearly two years of war. The Hamas-run health ministry reports that more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. Almost half of the victims are women and children.
Israel disputes these numbers but has not released its own casualty figures. International organizations consider the local ministry’s data the most reliable available, although it cannot be independently verified due to restrictions on foreign journalists entering Gaza.
Continued Escalation
The airstrike on Nasser Hospital underscores the growing toll of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. While Israel claims its actions are aimed at militants, civilians continue to bear the heaviest burden.
The killing of four journalists further intensifies calls for accountability and raises questions about press freedom during wartime. As the conflict grinds on, the international community faces mounting pressure to respond to the rising civilian death toll and the destruction of critical infrastructure, including hospitals.
