Deadly Double-Strike at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis
GAZA – A deadly Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza has killed at least 20 people, including five journalists and several medical workers, prompting widespread international outrage and calls for accountability.
According to local health officials and eyewitnesses, the attack occurred Monday in two consecutive strikes. The first missile hit the hospital’s fourth floor, followed minutes later by a second explosion as journalists, medics, and rescue teams rushed to assist the injured. Video footage from a live television broadcast captured the moment of the second blast, revealing scenes of chaos and devastation.
Journalists Among the Victims
The fatalities included:
- Mohammad Salama, cameraman for Al Jazeera
- Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor
- Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelance journalist contributing to The Associated Press
Press freedom organizations described the incident as one of the deadliest single attacks on journalists and healthcare workers since the war began. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) stated that over 190 reporters have now been killed in the Gaza conflict, calling the situation "one of the most dangerous crises for press freedom in modern history."
International Reaction and Calls for Investigation
The strike has drawn swift condemnation from the United Nations, Britain, France, and other governments. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the "extreme risks faced by medical staff and journalists" and renewed his call for a permanent ceasefire. The Foreign Press Association also urged Israel to "immediately end its attacks on media professionals."
Israel’s government acknowledged the incident as a "tragic mishap." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed an internal investigation, while Israeli media suggested troops may have believed the hospital’s roof housed a Hamas surveillance device. No official target has been confirmed.
U.S. Response and Broader Context
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his dismay, stating, "I’m not happy about it. I don’t want to see it," highlighting growing concern among Israel’s allies. The attack underscores escalating risks in the region as humanitarian workers and journalists continue to face grave danger.
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