Five journalists killed in Israeli double strike on hospital

At least 20 individuals, including five journalists, were killed during a double strike by Israeli forces on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, on Monday. This incident has been confirmed by the health ministry governed by Hamas in the territory.

The deceased journalists had been associated with notable media outlets such as Reuters, the Associated Press (AP), Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye.

In addition to the journalists, four medical personnel also lost their lives, according to the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Eyewitness footage captured the second strike hitting rescuers who had rushed to assist victims of the initial attack. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, described the occurrence as a "tragic mishap," adding that military authorities are conducting an extensive investigation.

Since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict in October 2023, the number of journalists killed in Gaza has reached nearly 200, as reported by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). This makes the current conflict the deadliest for journalists recorded in history. The CPJ stated that over the past two years, more journalists have died in Gaza than were killed globally in the previous three years.

To date, international journalists have been barred from entering Gaza independently since the war initiated. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have facilitated access for some reporters under strict supervision, many international media outlets predominantly rely on local journalists for their reports from within the region.

Dramatic video footage from the attack shows Dr. Mohammad Saqer, the hospital's spokesperson, at an entrance holding blood-soaked clothing as he spoke to reporters. Suddenly, another explosion occurred, sending individuals racing for cover amidst falling debris. Meanwhile, footage from a live broadcast by Al-Ghad television depicted emergency responders attending victims following the first strike; moments later, they became targets of the subsequent attack.

Husam al-Masri, a cameraman for Reuters, was confirmed as one of the victims. Witnesses noted that he was operating from the roof when the first strike hit, severing the live feed abruptly. Another Reuters contractor, Hatem Khaled, sustained injuries during the second strike.

AP also reported the death of Mariam Dagga, a freelance journalist, expressing their shock and sorrow at her loss. Other journalists killed included Mohammad Salama from Al Jazeera, and freelance reporters Ahmed Abu Aziz and Moaz Abu Taha. The latter had previously collaborated with various news agencies, contrary to initial reports stating he was affiliated with NBC.

The Hamas-run Civil Defence reported that one of its members was also among the fatalities. Hadil Abu Zaid, a programme officer for the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, recounted the scene, stating, "Explosions tore through the operating theatre right next to us. The killed and injured were everywhere," describing the aftermath as "unbearable".

The strike has attracted widespread condemnation. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres remarked that this incident highlights the considerable risks faced by medical staff and journalists amid such heightened conflict. He called for an immediate and impartial investigation, as well as a permanent ceasefire.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of Unrwa (the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees), expressed his dismay over the continued violence against journalists, labelling it as an effort to silence the critical voices documenting the dire conditions for children amidst severe shortages.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy voiced his horror regarding the incident, while French President Emmanuel Macron described it as “intolerable.”

This attack follows closely on the heels of another incident two weeks prior, when six journalists, four of whom were from Al Jazeera, lost their lives in an Israeli-targeted strike near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

The Hamas-run health ministry reported that 58 bodies recovered from rubble due to Israeli airstrikes were sent to hospitals in Gaza within the past day. Among the deceased, 28 individuals were killed while attempting to reach food aid at distribution sites, while 11 others died from malnutrition-related causes.

The humanitarian toll continues to rise, with the health ministry noting a total of around 62,744 Palestinian deaths since the start of the military offensive that followed a Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths on the Israeli side.

This escalating conflict raises significant concerns about the protection of journalists and medical workers in war-torn regions, calling for urgent action to safeguard those committed to reporting the truth and delivering critical healthcare.

International bodies and media organisations urge thorough investigations into such incidents and advocate for measures to ensure that journalists and healthcare providers can operate safely and effectively in conflict zones.