Nasser Hospital in Gaza Hit by Israeli Strikes, Killing Five Journalists and Others

At least 20 fatalities, including five journalists, were reported in the wake of Israeli attacks on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Monday, as confirmed by Gaza’s Civil Defense Agency. The strikes, which targeted one of the last functioning medical facilities in the region, also claimed the life of a civil defense worker. According to a spokesperson for the agency, an initial strike by an Israeli drone hit a hospital building, followed by a subsequent airstrike during an evacuation. International media outlets, including Al Jazeera, The Associated Press, and Reuters, have mourned the loss of their staff members. The Palestinian Journalists Union has also identified additional journalists who were killed. The Israeli army confirmed its involvement in the attack, stating it initiated a preliminary investigation, while also asserting that it did not deliberately target any civilians or journalists. Footage from AFP revealed the aftermath of the attack, with scenes of destruction, injured individuals, and medical personnel tending to the wounded. Since the start of the conflict in October 2023, nearly 200 journalists have been killed. The conflict was triggered by Hamas attacks in Israel, which resulted in 1,219 deaths. The ensuing Israeli response has led to the deaths of over 62,700 Palestinians.