Israel Strike on Gazaās Nasser Hospital Kills at Least 20, Including Five Journalists
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip ā August 25, 2025 ā At least 20 people were killed on Monday in an Israeli airstrike outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, according to local health officials. Among the dead were five Palestinian journalists who had been positioned near the hospital, reporting live when the strike hit. The attack, which took place in one of the last functioning medical facilities in southern Gaza, has sparked outrage and renewed global concern over the safety of civilians and press workers in the ongoing conflict.
The Incident at Nasser Hospital
Witnesses and emergency responders reported that the strike first hit an area close to a group of journalists stationed near the hospital entrance. As rescuers rushed to assist those injured in the initial blast, a second strike occurred only minutes later, compounding the chaos. Footage from the scene captured dust, debris, and bodies being carried out as paramedics tended to wounded survivors.
The journalists killed in the strike were identified as cameraman Hussam al-Masri, freelancer Mariam Abu Dagga, reporter Mohammed Salama, field correspondent Moaz Abu Taha, and photographer Ahmed Abu Aziz. Another well-known photojournalist, Hatem Khaled, was seriously injured. Local media organizations have noted that many of the victims were young reporters who continued to work under extremely dangerous conditions due to restrictions preventing foreign press from entering Gaza since late 2023.
Israel Acknowledges Strike, Announces Inquiry
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed responsibility for the strike near the hospital but stated that the incident was not intentional. In a statement, the IDF said it does not target journalists and reaffirmed its policy of minimizing civilian harm. An internal inquiry has been launched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the strike.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuās office expressed regret, describing the deaths as a ātragic mishapā and reiterating that āIsraelās war is against Hamas, not against journalists or medical staff.ā
The hospital, one of the few major treatment centers still operational in southern Gaza, has been repeatedly overwhelmed by casualties from months of bombardments. Local medical staff described the latest strike as among the most devastating incidents they have faced to date.
U.S. Reaction and International Concerns
When asked about the incident, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had not yet been briefed but voiced disapproval, stating: āIām not happy about it. I donāt want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare.ā
The White House has in the past urged Israel to exercise caution around sensitive locations such as hospitals, schools, and refugee shelters, but Washington has continued to support Israelās right to defend itself against Hamas. The latest attack is expected to intensify calls from humanitarian organizations and advocacy groups for greater accountability and international oversight.
The Palestinian presidency strongly condemned the strike, urging the United Nations to adopt measures to protect journalists working in conflict zones. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate described the attack as āan open war against free media,ā highlighting that more than 240 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the war began following Hamasās October 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel.
Historical Context: Journalism Under Fire in Gaza
Press freedom in Gaza has become increasingly perilous over the past two decades, with journalists frequently placed in harmās way during escalations. In several major conflicts, including the 2008-2009 war, the 2014 Gaza conflict, and the May 2021 clashes, journalists were killed or injured while covering bombardments. Yet the scale of press fatalities since October 2023 is unprecedented.
Restrictions on access to Gaza have played a crucial role. Since Israel barred most foreign media from entering the enclave in late 2023, the international press has heavily relied on local Palestinian reporters, stringers, and camera operators. This has placed extraordinary responsibility on local journalists who face daily bombardments while attempting to document events for global audiences.
International observers note that targeting or inadvertently striking journalists undermines coverage of the conflict and erodes transparency. Human rights groups argue that the death toll among journalists in Gaza constitutes one of the deadliest periods for the press in modern conflict history.
Hospitals and Civilian Infrastructure Under Repeated Strain
Hospitals in Gaza have served not only as medical facilities but also as shelters for displaced civilians and as crucial hubs for journalists. Nasser Hospital is among a handful of major institutions still able to function despite severe shortages of medicine, fuel, and basic medical supplies.
Over the past 10 months, Gazaās health infrastructure has been repeatedly struck. Several hospitals in northern Gaza were forced offline earlier this year after strikes damaged operating theaters and emergency rooms. Aid agencies have raised alarm about long-term consequences, warning that the breakdown of basic health services poses a grave humanitarian risk.
Medical staff in Khan Younis described the strike outside Nasser Hospital as particularly demoralizing, since many journalists killed or injured had been known to them personally. Doctors on site reported operating on colleagues in crowded, under-equipped wards, while others mourned friends who had been documenting the warās toll.
Regional Comparisons and Impact
The targeting of journalists during armed conflict is not unique to Gaza. In recent decades, war correspondents and local reporters have lost their lives in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. Yet the intensity with which Palestinian journalists have been affected stands out when compared regionally.
- In Iraq, during the height of the conflict in the mid-2000s, dozens of journalists were killed, but over a span of several years.
- In Syria, during the civil war, an estimated 200 journalists were killed over more than a decade.
- In contrast, Gaza has seen more than 240 journalists killed in less than two years, underscoring the dangerous conditions where reporters are often working without protective gear or safe zones.
This unprecedented rate of journalist fatalities has turned Gaza into one of the most dangerous places for media workers anywhere worldwide. Advocacy organizations stress the long-term consequences for press freedom, transparency, and the documentation of international humanitarian law violations.
Additional Casualties Reported in Khan Younis
On the same day as the Nasser Hospital strike, another journalist, Hassan Dohan, was shot and killed by Israeli gunfire while reporting from a displacement camp in Mawasi, also in Khan Younis. Witnesses said he was covering the dire conditions in the encampments when gunfire erupted. Doctors confirmed his death shortly after arrival at the hospital.
The cumulative loss of journalists in Khan Younis on a single day has been described by Palestinian media organizations as one of the darkest moments for local press.
Economic and Social Consequences
Beyond the immediate human toll, the destruction of hospitals and loss of journalists has far-reaching implications. The economic situation in Gaza has deteriorated sharply, with widespread business closures, collapse of public services, and soaring unemployment.
The killing of local journalists further impacts the information economy across the Middle East. With fewer reliable sources on the ground, international media often struggles to verify events, which in turn affects policy responses and humanitarian aid flows.
Socially, the deaths of well-known local reporters have left entire communities shaken. Many of the journalists were recognizable figures in Gaza, their broadcasts followed by residents seeking vital information during bombardments and displacement. Their loss represents not just a professional void but also a communal trauma.
Looking Ahead
As international outrage grows, pressure is mounting for independent investigations into the deaths of journalists in Gaza. Advocacy groups are urging stronger protections for press workers in conflict zones and warning that continued attacks on hospitals and media personnel risk further destabilizing the region.
The strike on Nasser Hospital underscores the perilous conditions for those attempting to deliver news under fire. With Israel promising an internal review, humanitarian organizations stress the urgent need for outside oversight to ensure transparency and prevent recurrence.
For Gazaās embattled press corps, the tragedy represents both a devastating personal loss and a harsh reminder of the risks they confront daily in one of the worldās deadliest environments for journalists.
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