Double Strike on Hospital Leaves Dozens Dead
On Monday, Israeli airstrikes struck Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, a major medical facility in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people, according to local health officials. Among those killed were journalists and emergency responders who rushed to the scene following the initial impact.
The first missile struck the hospital’s upper floors around 10:10 a.m., reportedly impacting operating rooms and physician housing. Minutes later, a second missile hit an external stairwell as media workers and rescuers attempted to respond to the scene, officials said.
Journalists Among the Dead
Five journalists were confirmed killed in the attack, including 33-year-old Mariam Dagga, a freelance visual journalist who had worked with multiple news agencies, including the Associated Press. She had frequently reported from Nasser Hospital and recently covered the growing medical crisis affecting children.
Others killed were affiliated with international outlets such as Al Jazeera, Reuters, and Middle East Eye. Most were working on contract or freelance terms.
Casualties and Overcrowded Hospitals
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 18 people were killed in the second strike alone. Approximately 80 individuals sustained injuries, many of them in the hospital’s courtyard at the time of the second missile.
A foreign doctor who was working in the targeted ward described the scene as one of “chaos, disbelief and fear.” Patients already lying on floors in the hallways due to overcrowding were joined by new victims with serious injuries. The doctor, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, said the strikes left hospital workers feeling vulnerable and unprotected.
Israeli Military Response
The Israeli military acknowledged conducting strikes in the area and said it would investigate the incident. A statement said Israel “regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such.” Israel has accused Hamas of operating within and around hospitals, though access to certain areas has remained restricted for verification.
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office has not commented on this specific incident.
More Fatalities During Aid Efforts
Elsewhere in Gaza, six people were reportedly shot and killed while attempting to reach aid in the Netzarim Corridor. Al-Awda Hospital confirmed the casualties and stated that 15 others were wounded. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates in the area with Israeli approval, denied any shootings occurred near its site.
In separate incidents, Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed additional civilians, including two children, according to local medical sources.
Heavy Toll on Journalists and Medical Workers
The Gaza war has become one of the deadliest conflicts for media and health professionals. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports 189 Palestinian journalists have died since fighting began. The United Nations estimates over 1,500 medical workers have also been killed.
Gaza’s Health Ministry states that more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, with around half being women and children. While Israel disputes these figures, it has not released its own verified toll.
Background of the Conflict
The war began in October 2023 when Hamas-led forces killed approximately 1,200 people and abducted 251 others in Israel. Most hostages have since been released through negotiations, though 50 remain in Gaza. Of those, around 20 are believed to still be alive.
Public pressure in Israel has grown, with mass protests calling for a ceasefire that could facilitate the release of remaining hostages.
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