Israeli airstrikes targeted Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on Monday, killing at least 20 people – including five journalists covering the conflict – in one of the deadliest attacks on media workers and medical facilities since hostilities began last October. The strike marks the latest escalation in a conflict that has drawn global condemnation for its humanitarian toll.
Among the victims were Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters-affiliated cameraman killed near a live broadcast setup at the Khan Younis hospital, and Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelance contributor to the Associated Press. Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Salama and Reuters-affiliated freelancer Moaz Abu Taha were also killed in a second strike targeting first responders, according to Palestinian health officials.
International Outcry Intensifies
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded an immediate investigation, stating the attack "highlight[s] the extreme risks" faced by journalists and medical personnel. The Arab League condemned the strike as part of a "relentless series of massacres," while Egypt accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law.
Palestinian authorities reported over 240 journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, with Monday’s casualties renewing debates about press freedom in conflict zones. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate called the attack part of Israel’s "open war against free media."
Nasser Hospital, Gaza’s last functioning medical facility in the south, has become a critical refuge for displaced civilians. The strikes come amid heightened scrutiny of Israel’s military tactics, which human rights groups say disproportionately affect non-combatants.
