Background / Context
The Gaza war, now in its eleventh month, has left tens of thousands dead and displaced much of the enclave’s population. Israel has barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza since the war began on October 7, 2023, leaving Palestinian reporters to provide most on-the-ground coverage. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis has served as a major hub for treatment of the wounded and as a base for journalists reporting on the conflict.
What Happened
Israeli airstrikes hit Nasser hospital in southern Gaza on Monday, killing at least 20 people, including five journalists, according to Palestinian health officials.
Cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor, was killed near a Reuters live broadcast position on the hospital’s upper floors during the first strike.
Israel then struck the site a second time, killing other journalists, medical staff, and rescue workers who had rushed to help.
The journalists killed included Mariam Abu Dagga (freelancer for AP), Mohammed Salama (Al Jazeera), Moaz Abu Taha (freelancer, occasional Reuters contributor), and Ahmed Abu Aziz.
Photographer Hatem Khaled, another Reuters contractor, was wounded.
In a separate incident the same day, doctors at Nasser hospital said Israeli gunfire killed local journalist Hassan Dohan in a nearby tent encampment.
Why It Matters
The strike marks one of the deadliest single incidents for journalists since the Gaza war began. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, nearly 200 reporters and media workers—most of them Palestinian—have been killed since October 2023, making this conflict the deadliest for the press in recent history. The deaths underscore both the risks faced by journalists reporting from Gaza and the intensifying calls for accountability over attacks on medical and media sites.
Stakeholder Reactions
Israeli government: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called the incident a “tragic mishap,” insisting Israel does not target journalists and that the war is against Hamas. The IDF said it regrets harm to “uninvolved individuals” and has ordered an inquiry.
Reuters: “We are devastated to learn that cameraman Hussam al-Masri … was killed this morning in Israeli strikes on Nasser hospital … We are urgently seeking more information and have asked authorities in Gaza and Israel to help us get urgent medical assistance for [wounded photographer] Hatem,” a spokesperson said.
Associated Press: Said it was “shocked and saddened” at the loss of Mariam Abu Dagga and other journalists, noting Abu Dagga had recently been reporting on child malnutrition from the hospital.
Palestinian presidency: Urged the U.N. Security Council and international community to provide protection for journalists and hold Israel accountable.
Palestinian Journalists Syndicate: Condemned the strike as “an open war against free media.”
Committee to Protect Journalists: Called on the international community “to hold Israel accountable for its continued unlawful attacks on the press.”
U.S. President Donald Trump: Expressed displeasure, saying, “I didn’t know that. Well, I’m not happy about it … At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare.”
What’s Next
Israel’s military says it will investigate the incident, with Brigadier General Effie Defrin promising findings will be presented “as transparently as possible.” International pressure is likely to mount for independent inquiries into Israel’s conduct during the war, particularly its treatment of journalists and medical facilities. Meanwhile, media organizations are urging urgent protection for reporters still working in Gaza, where foreign journalists remain barred and local correspondents continue to bear the brunt of the risk.
With information from Reuters.