At least 15 people, including four journalists reporting for international media outlets, have been killed in an Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, officials say.
The casualties include a Reuters cameraman, an Associated Press journalist, and reporters working for Al Jazeera and NBC. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defence, some victims died in the initial strike, while others were killed in a second attack that struck as emergency workers rushed to help the injured.
Reuters confirmed that cameraman Husam al-Masri was among those killed. The Associated Press reported that freelance journalist Mariam Dagga, 33, also died, describing her death as “shocking and deeply saddening.” Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Salameh and NBC photographer Muath Abu Taha were the other journalists who lost their lives in the attack.
The strike hit the main hospital in southern Gaza, causing extensive damage to its upper floors and sending thick grey smoke into the air. Scenes from the area show chaos as people run through the streets and ambulance sirens wail. In one widely shared video, a doctor holds up bloodied clothes to show reporters before another strike occurs nearby.
“The situation is horrific,” a Civil Defence spokesperson said. “Rescuers were targeted while trying to save lives.” Among those killed was also a member of the Civil Defence team, AFP reported.
The Israeli military and the office of the Prime Minister had no immediate comment on the hospital strike. The attack comes amid ongoing conflict in the region, which has repeatedly placed civilians, medical facilities, and journalists in danger.
Hospitals in Gaza have repeatedly been caught in the crossfire, raising concerns about access to medical care for the wounded. International organizations have condemned attacks on medical facilities, highlighting the dangers faced by journalists covering conflict zones.
Eyewitnesses describe scenes of panic outside Nasser Hospital, with civilians fleeing rubble-strewn streets while emergency teams struggled to evacuate the injured. “It is devastating to see so many lives lost, including journalists who came here to report the truth,” one local resident said.
The loss of four journalists in a single incident has drawn international attention and renewed calls for the protection of media workers in conflict zones. Authorities and aid organizations continue to monitor the situation as rescue operations proceed amid continuing hostilities.
