Israeli army confirms carrying out Nasser Hospital attack in southern Gaza, sparking global outrage as the strike killed at least 20 people, including journalists, medical staff, and civil defense personnel. The incident marks one of the deadliest assaults on a medical facility since October 2023.
The Israeli army issued a short statement on its official social media channels, acknowledging that it carried out “a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital.” However, it provided no explanation regarding the purpose or intended target. The military added that it “does not target journalists as such,” even though media workers were among the dead.
The attack immediately drew criticism, as hospitals are protected under international law, and targeting medical personnel violates global conventions. The Health Ministry in Gaza described the strike as part of a “systematic destruction of the health system.”
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Rising Death Toll and Humanitarian Fallout
Palestinian officials confirmed that the death toll from the Nasser Hospital attack has risen to 20. The victims include doctors, nurses, journalists, and members of the civil defense team. Several others remain in critical condition, and emergency medical aid is urgently required.
“The occupation forces’ targeting of the hospital today and the killing of medical personnel, journalists, and civil defense personnel is a continuation of genocide,” the Health Ministry declared. It added that the strike sends “a message of defiance to the entire world and to all values of humanity and justice.”
The incident deepens the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the health system has already collapsed due to constant bombardments and shortages of medicine, fuel, and supplies.
Read more: Gaza Famine Sparks Rage, Palestinians: UN Warning Came Late
Journalists Once Again Targeted
The Nasser Hospital attack came just weeks after the killing of renowned Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif and four of his colleagues in front of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Israel admitted to directly targeting Anas, who had become the voice of Gaza through his frontline reporting.
According to Al Jazeera’s tally, at least 274 journalists have been killed in Israeli strikes since October 2023. Press organizations and advocacy groups have repeatedly accused Israel of systematically silencing voices that document the destruction in Gaza.
Reuters also confirmed that one of its contractors, Hussam al-Masri, was killed in the Nasser Hospital attack. Another Reuters staff member, Hatem Khaled, was injured and is in need of urgent medical treatment. “We are devastated to learn of Hussam’s death,” the news agency stated, appealing to authorities in both Gaza and Israel to allow medical evacuation for Hatem.
Global Condemnation and Calls for Accountability
International organizations and rights groups have condemned the strike. They argue that repeated assaults on hospitals show a pattern of deliberate targeting, despite Israel’s denials. Human rights experts stressed that attacks on medical centers constitute war crimes under the Geneva Conventions.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reiterated its demand for an independent investigation into Israel’s attacks on reporters. “The killing of journalists in Gaza has reached an unprecedented level, and the international community cannot remain silent,” the group stated.
Scramble for Survival in Gaza City
In Gaza City, scenes of desperation unfolded outside charity kitchens. Women, men, and children crowded with pots and plastic buckets, pushing through the chaos for a small serving of rice. A young boy scooped leftover grains directly from the edge of a cooking pot. Nearby, a girl sat beside a makeshift tent, eating rice from a plastic bag on the ground.
Displaced residents said they had lost everything. “We have no home left, no food, no income. We turn to charity kitchens, but even they cannot satisfy our hunger,” said 58-year-old Yousef Hamad, forced to flee from Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.
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