Airstrikes hit Gaza hospital, media workers killed

Israel struck Nasser hospital in the south of the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 20 people, including five journalists who worked for Reuters, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and others.

The first strike hit the upper floors of the hospital, killing Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri while he was working near a live broadcast point. Photographer Hatem Khaled, also with Reuters, was injured in the attack. Witnesses and hospital staff said a second strike followed minutes later, hitting those rushing to help the wounded. This strike killed more journalists, medical workers, and emergency responders. Those confirmed dead include Reuters contributor Moaz Abu Taha, Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Salama, AP freelancer Mariam Abu Dagga, and independent journalist Ahmed Abu Aziz.

Reuters expressed deep sadness over the deaths and urged Israeli and Gaza authorities to allow immediate medical care for the injured. The Associated Press and Al Jazeera also condemned the strike, calling it part of an ongoing threat to journalists in the region. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate described the attack as an open war on media and claimed more than 240 Palestinian journalists have died since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that at least 197 journalists and media workers have been killed so far, most of them Palestinians.

The Israel Defense Forces admitted to striking near the hospital but said they were investigating the incident and stressed they do not target journalists. A similar case last year involved Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed in southern Lebanon by Israeli tank fire. Foreign reporters remain barred from Gaza, leaving Palestinian journalists to cover the conflict under constant risk, making this latest attack a major blow to press freedom.