GAZA CITY —An Israeli strike on the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on Monday has killed at least 19 people, including five journalists, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. The strike, which hit the fourth floor of the hospital in Khan Younis, also injured several others.
According to reports, Among the dead are photojournalists Hussam al-Masri (a contractor for Reuters), Mohammad Salama (Al Jazeera), Maryam Abu Daqqa (a freelancer for multiple outlets, including The Associated Press), and Moaz Abu Taha (NBC). A Reuters photographer, Hatem Khaled, was also wounded in the attack.
According to health officials, the casualties resulted from a “double-tap” strike, where an initial missile hit was followed by a second moments later as rescue crews, including the journalists, arrived on the scene.
Nasser Hospital, the largest medical facility in southern Gaza, has been a target of repeated raids and bombardments throughout the 22-month-long war. The hospital’s staff has reported critical shortages of supplies and personnel. The Israeli military, which has previously claimed to have targeted militants operating from within hospitals, has not yet provided comment on this latest strike.
