Israel is facing international backlash after strikes on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killed five journalists, health workers, and other civilians.
The attack, which happened on Monday, has been described as a “double-tap” strike, where two blasts hit the same area minutes apart.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 20 people were killed and many more injured when Israeli forces struck a hospital balcony often used by reporters.
Witnesses say the second blast came as journalists and medics were documenting the aftermath of the first.
Hospital spokesman Dr. Mohammad Saqer confirmed the deaths of five journalists and four medical workers.
Those killed included Mohammad Salama of Al Jazeera, Hussam Al-Masri who worked with Reuters, Mariam Abu Dagga who contributed to Associated Press and Independent Arabic, along with freelancers Moath Abu Taha and Ahmed Abu Aziz. A Civil Defense worker was also among the victims.
Video from the scene showed the moment of the second explosion, throwing people into chaos as they rushed to help the injured.
The Israeli military admitted it carried out the strikes. Army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said civilians, including journalists, were harmed but insisted that Israel does not deliberately target them.
He described the situation in Gaza as “extremely complex” and accused Hamas of using hospitals for military purposes.
Israeli media quoted a security source who claimed soldiers spotted a camera on the hospital roof allegedly used by Hamas for surveillance. Two tank shells were then fired—one hit the camera, while the second struck first responders.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a “tragic mistake” and promised an investigation, saying Israel respects the work of journalists and medical staff.
The Foreign Press Association condemned the strike, describing it as one of the deadliest attacks on journalists since the Gaza war began.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also denounced the killings, stressing that civilians, journalists, and health workers must be protected at all times.
The Committee to Protect Journalists accused Israel of carrying out unlawful killings and warned that the strikes may amount to war crimes.
Doctors Without Borders added that the attack was a direct hit on the only partly functioning hospital in southern Gaza, where medical staff had already been forced to shelter.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate called the incident a massacre, accusing Israeli forces of deliberately targeting media workers.
Since the start of the Gaza war, CPJ reports that 192 journalists have been killed, raising serious concerns over press freedom, accountability, and respect for international law.
