Gaza’s Nasser Hospital Hit: Israeli Strikes Result in 20 Fatalities, Including Media Personnel

A series of Israeli attacks on Monday claimed the lives of at least 20 people at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, as reported by the Gaza Civil Defense Agency. The casualties included five journalists and a civil defense worker. According to agency spokesman Mahmoud Bassal, an Israeli drone strike on a building within the hospital complex was followed by another airstrike during the evacuation process, leading to these deaths. Nasser Hospital, one of the few remaining functioning medical centers in Gaza, has been targeted multiple times throughout the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. International media outlets have confirmed the deaths of their journalists. Al Jazeera lamented the death of its cameraman Mohammed Salama, describing it as a horrific crime and accusing Israeli forces of suppressing the truth. The Associated Press expressed deep shock at the death of Mariam Dagga. Reuters confirmed the death of its contract journalist Hussam al-Masri and reported Hatem Khaled was injured. The Palestinian Journalists Union identified Muaz Abu Taha and Ahmed Abu Aziz as the other journalists killed. The Israeli army acknowledged conducting an attack near Nasser Hospital and announced a preliminary investigation into the incident. They asserted the army did not intentionally harm innocent people or target journalists. Video footage from AFP showed smoke surrounding the hospital and the transport of bloodied bodies and severed limbs. Among the injured was a medical worker.