On August 25, 2025, two consecutive bombings hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 20 people died, including five journalists, several healthcare staff, and emergency responders who rushed to the scene after the first attack.
The first blast struck the fourth floor of the hospital complex. A few minutes later, a second explosion followed, targeting rescue teams. Among the victims was the hospital's spokesman and chief nurse, Dr. Mohammad Saqer, who was filmed holding a bloody cloth after the initial attack.
The journalists killed were:
Mohammad Salama, Al Jazeera cameraman
Hussam al-Masri, Reuters contractor
Mariam Abu Dagga, Associated Press photojournalist
Moath Abu Taha, freelancer
Ahmed Abu Aziz, freelancer
The international community reacted with outrage. News agencies such as AP and Reuters demanded “urgent and transparent accountability” from Israel, stressing that the hospital is a protected facility under international humanitarian law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a “tragic accident” and assured that an investigation is underway. The Israeli military expressed regret for civilian casualties and denied targeting journalists, insisting they were not the intended targets.
Organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) warn that this episode adds to one of the deadliest environments for media professionals. According to the CPJ, more than 184 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the beginning of the conflict, while other reports suggest the number exceeds 240.
In addition to widespread condemnations, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) suggested that a facility near the bombing site, used by journalists, had housed a Hamas surveillance camera—a claim that remains unproven.
This attack, which caused multiple casualties among health and media professionals, has reignited urgent calls for a ceasefire, with some reports interpreting it as a possible war crime and prompting demands for independent investigations by institutions such as the UN.
Source: BBC
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