Five journalists among 20 killed in Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza
At least 20 people, including five international media journalists, were reportedly killed in Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza.
The Israeli military confirmed carrying out a strike in the area but did not explain why the hospital was hit, saying only that an initial inquiry had been ordered.
Footage showed smoke rising from the facility. In one clip, a doctor displayed bloodstained clothes to reporters when another strike occurred. Reuters confirmed that its cameraman, Hussam al-Masri, was killed while operating a live feed that went offline at the moment of the first blast.
Witnesses said the second strike hit after rescue teams and journalists had gathered at the scene. AP said its freelancer Mariam Abu Dagga was among the victims, along with Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammad Salama and two other journalists, Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmad Abu Aziz.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, more than 190 journalists have been killed during the 22-month conflict.
In a statement, the Israeli military said it “regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists.”
The incident comes two weeks after six journalists, including four from Al Jazeera, were killed in an Israeli strike near Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital. The UN human rights office condemned the latest attack, calling it a serious violation of international law.
