Five journalists were killed on Monday in Israeli airstrikes on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, according to local civil defense officials. Among the victims were reporters from Al Jazeera, Reuters, and the Associated Press. The attack also claimed the lives of at least fifteen other people, sparking international condemnation and renewed calls for the protection of journalists in conflict zones.
The Israeli government acknowledged responsibility for a strike “in the vicinity of the hospital” but insisted that journalists were not the intended targets.
Netanyahu expresses regret, promises investigation on Gaza airstrike that killed five journalists
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a “tragic accident,” saying Israel “deeply regrets” the deaths and pledging a military investigation.
“The war we are fighting is against Hamas terrorists,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “Our legitimate goals are to defeat Hamas and bring our hostages home.” The Israeli security cabinet will convene in Jerusalem later on today to review the latest developments.
Global condemnation and calls for protection
The strike drew swift condemnation from the United Nations and governments globally. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued statements emphasizing that journalists must be protected under international law.
Al Jazeera, Reuters, and the Associated Press also released statements expressing shock and grief at the loss of their colleagues. “This is another devastating reminder of the extreme risks journalists face in Gaza,” said one AP editor, underscoring the growing toll on media workers in the conflict.
Scenes of chaos at Nasser Hospital after Gaza airstrike killed five journalists
Footage from Agence France-Presse (AFP) showed smoke rising above the hospital and debris scattered outside the facility. Palestinians rushed to help the wounded, carrying bloodied bodies into the already overwhelmed medical center.
According to Gaza’s civil defense, the hospital was struck twice—first by a drone strike and then by an aerial bombardment as victims were being evacuated. The strikes came amid widespread reports of food shortages and the threat of famine across Gaza, with the United Nations warning that the humanitarian situation is worsening rapidly.
A growing death toll among journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) say that nearly 200 journalists have been killed since the war began, making it one of the deadliest conflicts for the press in decades.
On Monday alone, six journalists lost their lives. In addition to the five killed in Khan Younis, Palestinian journalist Hassan Duhan was shot dead in Al-Mawasi, southern Gaza. Two other Palestinian reporters, Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmad Abu Aziz, were also confirmed dead in the hospital strike, according to the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate.
At funerals across Gaza, crowds carried the bodies of the slain reporters wrapped in white shrouds, with bulletproof vests marked “PRESS” laid over them.
International pressure mounts after journalists were killed in Gaza airstrike
UN officials voiced alarm at the repeated targeting of journalists and medical facilities. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), condemned what he called the “world’s inaction.”
Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, urged the international community to act, stressing that “journalists and hospitals must never be targets.”
Israel insists its operations are aimed solely at Hamas, which it accuses of using civilian infrastructure for military purposes. However, rights groups have questioned the proportionality of its strikes and warned of possible violations of international humanitarian law.
Restrictions on media access
The incident also underscored the challenges facing international media in covering the war.
Foreign journalists are barred from entering Gaza, forcing global news outlets to rely on Palestinian reporters working under extremely dangerous conditions. The AFP noted it cannot independently verify casualty figures released by either side as a result of restrictions and limited access.
Uncertainty lies ahead
As Israel intensifies its campaign in Gaza—reportedly controlling around 75 percent of the territory, according to its military—the civilian population continues to suffer the heaviest toll of the war. With journalists increasingly among the casualties, international pressure is mounting for stronger safeguards and accountability.
For now, the deaths at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, including those of the journalists killed there, serve as a stark reminder of the deadly risks faced by those documenting the war.
