The Foreign Press Association (FPA) has urgently called for a thorough explanation from the Israeli military and the Prime Minister's office after the tragic deaths of several journalists from prominent international news organizations. This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks on journalists amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, as stated in a recent FPA release. The assault on the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis occurred without warning, striking an exterior staircase where journalists often gathered to cover events with their cameras.
The FPA, an organization dedicated to supporting journalists worldwide, has condemned Israel's actions, stating, “We call on Israel once and for all to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists.” In response to this devastating incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asserted that they do not intentionally target journalists.
Reports from correspondents Shayan Sardarizadeh and Benedict Garman reveal that multiple graphic videos have surfaced, documenting two Israeli strikes on the Nasser Hospital. One of the videos, broadcasted live by Al Ghad TV, depicts emergency workers responding to the initial strike near the hospital's top floor, with numerous journalists in the vicinity capturing the scene. The footage clearly shows the staircase where journalists frequently filmed, moments before a second strike directly impacted the area, engulfing it in smoke and debris.
In the aftermath, several bodies were visible on the staircase, as medics rushed to assist. Another video, filmed near the hospital's main entrance, features a medical worker displaying bloodied clothes to the camera just before a subsequent explosion prompts panic among those nearby. Outside the hospital, smoke billowed from the upper floors, as journalists confirmed that Nasser Hospital had been targeted again.
This latest attack comes merely two weeks after a similar tragedy, where six journalists, including four from Al Jazeera, lost their lives in an Israeli targeted strike near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The United Nations human rights office condemned that incident, labeling it a grave violation of international law. The IDF claimed the strike targeted Anas al-Sharif, a noted Al Jazeera reporter, alleging he was linked to a Hamas terrorist cell, although no substantial evidence has been presented to validate this assertion.
According to reports from Yolande Knell, a Middle East correspondent in Jerusalem, at least 20 individuals, including five journalists from international media outlets, have been confirmed dead following the Israeli military strikes on the Nasser Hospital. While the IDF acknowledged conducting an attack in the vicinity, they have not clarified the reasons for targeting the hospital. An initial inquiry into the incident has been ordered by the military.
Footage from the scene shows smoke rising from the hospital following the attack. In one particularly harrowing clip, a doctor holds up bloodied clothes for journalists while another strike occurs in the background. Reuters confirmed the death of its cameraman, Hussam al-Masri, who was operating a live feed from the roof at the time of the first strike. Witnesses reported that the second strike occurred shortly after rescue workers and journalists had rushed to the scene of the initial attack.
Additionally, the Associated Press reported that its freelancer, Mariam Abu Dagga, was killed in the strikes, alongside Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammad Salama and two other journalists, Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmad Abu Aziz. The Committee to Protect Journalists has documented more than 190 journalist fatalities during the ongoing 22-month-long conflict.
The Israeli military issued a statement expressing regret for any harm inflicted on uninvolved individuals, reiterating that they do not intentionally target journalists. The IDF emphasized that they strive to minimize harm to civilians while ensuring the safety of their troops. Following the strikes, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported at least 20 fatalities, including medics, patients, and journalists, with ongoing impacts on patient treatment within the hospital.
As this situation continues to unfold, the FPA and other media organizations are demanding accountability and clarity regarding the circumstances that led to the targeting of journalists in this tragic incident. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
