The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asserted on Tuesday that the recent "double-tap" airstrike on Nasser Hospital, which resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, was directed at a camera allegedly placed by Hamas. The IDF stated that an initial investigation indicated that troops from the Golani Brigade, operating in Khan Younis, had identified a camera used by Hamas to monitor IDF troop movements and facilitate attacks against them. However, the IDF did not provide any evidence to substantiate this claim, which has been contested by Hamas.
Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas' political bureau, expressed skepticism about the IDF's assertion. “If this claim were true, there are many means to neutralize this camera without targeting a health care facility with a tank shell,” Naim stated in an interview with The Associated Press. The strikes led to the deaths of health workers, journalists, and emergency personnel, inciting widespread international condemnation from press organizations, medical bodies, and various governments.
In a social media post on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeled the fatalities of journalists, medical staff, and other civilians at the hospital as a “tragic mishap.” While the IDF's statement on Tuesday expressed regret for any civilian harm, it also claimed that the strikes had neutralized six "terrorists." A security source in Israel informed CNN that none of the five journalists killed during the attack were the intended targets, raising further questions about the military's operational conduct.
The IDF also announced that it would “examine several gaps” in its understanding of the airstrike, which includes reviewing the “authorization process prior to the strike” and the “decision-making process in the field.” The statement concluded with a reiteration that the IDF focuses its operations solely on military objectives.
On the same day the IDF released its claims, protests erupted throughout the country in what was described as a nationwide “day of struggle.” Organizers of the largest rally in Tel Aviv estimated that over 300,000 people participated, although CNN could not independently verify this number. Images from Tel Aviv depicted streets filled with demonstrators waving flags and voicing their demands.
Protesters like Yael Adar, who spoke to CNN, expressed optimism that their efforts would ultimately compel Netanyahu’s government to agree to a hostage and ceasefire deal. “If we didn’t believe we could make a difference, we wouldn’t be here,” Adar stated, highlighting her personal loss as her son, Tamir Adar, was killed on October 7 and his body was taken into Gaza.
Another protester, Haim Weiss, who traveled from Beer Sheva to Tel Aviv, criticized the government’s focus on military objectives rather than prioritizing the return of hostages. “It’s unbelievable what the government is doing not to bring the hostages back,” Weiss remarked, emphasizing that the government should concentrate solely on concluding the war and ensuring the safe return of hostages.
Despite Netanyahu recently claiming he was initiating negotiations for the release of all hostages, Israel has yet to respond to a new ceasefire proposal from Qatari and Egyptian mediators, which Hamas has agreed to. This proposal suggests a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of half of the hostages. However, Netanyahu insists that all hostages must be released simultaneously, complicating the situation further.
As tensions mount, Netanyahu’s security cabinet met on Tuesday, but sources indicated that the meeting concluded without significant decisions or a review of the current ceasefire proposal. Another meeting is scheduled for Sunday to assess the government's strategy for occupying Gaza City.
In the meantime, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a statement following the Tel Aviv rally, stating that the demonstration conveyed a clear message: the government must accept the proposed deal. “The entire nation demands an end to the war and the return of all hostages,” the statement emphasized, reflecting the urgent call for action in a time of crisis.
