An Israeli airstrike targeted Nasser Hospital in southern
Gaza, killing at least 20 people, including four journalists, in a double-tap
strike, Gaza health officials confirmed. The victims included journalists from
Reuters, Al Jazeera, Associated Press, and NBC, amid ongoing severe shortages
and conflict conditions in the region.
Deadly Airstrike on Nasser Hospital
On Monday, an Israeli strike hit the fourth floor of Nasser
Hospital, the largest medical facility in southern Gaza's Khan Younis area.
According to Zaher al-Waheid, head of the Gaza Health Ministry's records
department, at least 20 people died in the attack, including four journalists.
The strike included two missile hits; the second struck moments after the first
as rescue teams arrived, compounding the casualties. This attack is among a
series targeting hospitals during the 22-month conflict, with medical
facilities in Gaza facing severe shortages of supplies and staff.
Identification of Journalists Among the Dead
Among the four journalists killed were Mariam Abu Daqa (also
noted as Mariam Dagga), a 33-year-old freelancer who had worked for The
Associated Press since the onset of the conflict. Al Jazeera confirmed the
death of its journalist Mohammed Salama, and Reuters reported loss of their contractor
and cameraman Hussam al-Masri, while another Reuters contractor photographer,
Hatem Khaled, was wounded. NBC journalist Moaz Abu Taha was also reported
killed. A hospital official also identified another Reuters journalist, Haithem
Omar, as wounded.
Context of Journalists’ Work and Risks
Mariam Abu Daqa was recently covering the struggle of
hospital doctors treating children dying or becoming severely malnourished
without prior health issues. This strike is part of a broader pattern of
attacks on Gaza’s medical facilities, which Israel asserts targeted Hamas
militants allegedly operating within these locations, though evidence has not
been publicly provided. The Israel Occupation Forces (IOF) expressed regret for
harm to uninvolved individuals and stated it does not target journalists, and
promised an initial inquiry. The Committee to Protect Journalists states 192
journalists have been killed during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Broader Impact of Conflict on Gaza
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has exacted a heavy toll on
civilians and medical workers. The Hamas-run health ministry reported that at
least 62,686 Palestinians have died since the war began in response to the
October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Approximately half the casualties have
been women and children. The U.N. and independent experts consider the
ministry's figures the most reliable, although Israel disputes them and has not
released its own casualty statistics. The strike on Nasser Hospital follows
previous attacks that killed and wounded dozens, with claims by Israel of
targeting militants without providing evidence.
Reactions from Media and Officials
As reported by Jon Gambrell, Associated Press’ Middle East
director, Abu Daqa had freelanced for AP since the war's start. Reuters
confirmed the death of its contractor cameraman al-Masri and the injuries of
photographer Khaled. CBS News quoted Civil Defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal
stating the death toll includes four journalists and one civil defence member.
The Israeli military stated that it takes any harm to uninvolved persons
seriously and will investigate. Al Jazeera expressed deep sorrow over the loss
of its reporter Mohammed Salama.
Other Recent Casualties in Gaza
In addition to the hospital strike, other incidents took
place on the same day. For instance, three Palestinians, including a child,
were killed in Gaza City. Al-Awda Hospital reported that Israeli troops opened
fire on people trying to reach an aid distribution point, killing six and
injuring 15.
This tragic event underscores the extreme dangers faced by
journalists covering the volatile Gaza conflict, as well as the ongoing
humanitarian crisis affecting civilians and medical personnel inside the
territory. Israeli strikes on hospitals continue to draw international concern
and calls for investigations into their legitimacy and proportionality.