Israel Regrets Killing Journalists In Gaza Hospital Strikes (Worthy News In-Depth)
by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Monday that Israel struck one of the main hospitals in the Gaza Strip, killing journalists and rescue workers in what he called a “tragic mishap.”
His remarks came after Hamas-linked authorities said that the Israeli airstrikes hit southern Gaza’s Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis twice on Monday, killing at least 20 people, including five journalists and several rescuers.
The first strike reportedly targeted an upper floor housing doctors and operating rooms. The second strike followed shortly after, as emergency responders and journalists arrived at the scene.
Among the dead were journalists from major global media outlets such as Reuters, AP, Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye, and others, sources said.
“Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza,” Netanyahu said in social media comments monitored by Worthy News.
“Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation,” he added.
“Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home,” the prime minister stressed
DEADLIEST STRIKES
It was among the deadliest of Israeli strikes, hitting hospitals and journalists over the course of the 22-month war in Gaza.
The armed conflict was sparked by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre of some 1,200 people in Israel. Hamas also abducted some 251 people on what became known as the “Black Sabbath” in Israel.
Monday’s attack came as Israel plans to widen its offensive to heavily populated areas in a self-declared effort to destroy Hamas, which seeks the destruction of the Jewish state.
However, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) said Israel was “accountable” for its continued unlawful attacks on the press.
It named the killed journalists as Hussam Al-Masri, a Reuters news agency contractor; Mohammed Salama, camera operator of broadcaster Al Jazeera, Mariam Abu Dagga, freelance photojournalist with the Independent Arabia and The Associated Press news agencies, freelance journalist Ahmed Abu Aziz, who contributed to the Quds Feed social media channel and freelance video journalist Moaz Abu Taha.
“Al-Masri was killed in the first strike, while the others were killed while covering the aftermath of the previous Israeli strike,” CJP said in a statement obtained by Worthy News.
“Journalist Jamal Baddah from Palestine Today TV, photographer Hatem Khaled, a Reuters contractor, and Mohammed Fayeq, a freelance photographer, were injured in the attack. CPJ is investigating a possible fifth case of a journalist killed.”
JOURNALISTS KILLED
CPJ’s Regional Director Sara Qudah stressed that “Israel killed at least five journalists in Nasser Hospital on Monday morning. Israel’s broadcast killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history.”
She added, “These murders must end now. The perpetrators must no longer be allowed to act with impunity.”
CPJ said it has now documented at least 197 journalists and media workers “killed during the war, 189 of them Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza.”
However, Worthy News established that not all were independent journalists, with several having links with, or working for, Hamas.
Israel Hayom newspaper cited a security source as telling the daily that “the reason for the attack on the Khan Yunis hospital was the presence of a camera on the hospital roof, which Hamas members were using to document [Israel Defense Forces] forces. The forces received permission to neutralize the camera, but the incident escalated into a wider incident.”
The Reuters live video feed from the hospital, which Al-Masri operated, apparently shut down at the moment of the initial strike
INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS
When asked about his reaction, U.S. President Donald J. Trump said: “When did this happen?”
“I didn’t know that. Well, I’m not happy about it. I don’t want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare.”
French President Emmanuel Macron went further, saying: “This is intolerable: civilians and journalists must be protected in all circumstances. The media must be able to carry out their mission freely and independently to cover the reality of the conflict.”
The United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric echoed those concerns, saying: “The [U.N.] Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing of Palestinians today in Israeli strikes that hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Those killed, in addition to civilians, included medical personnel and journalists.”
He added that “These latest horrific killings highlight the extreme risks that medical personnel and journalists face as they carry out their vital work amid this brutal conflict.” They “must be respected and protected at all times. He calls for a prompt and impartial investigation into these killings.”
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said “the occupation forces’ targeting of journalists and relief and medical workers requires urgent and decisive international action to provide the necessary protection for civilians and ensure that the perpetrators of these atrocities do not escape punishment.”
However, IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Israel’s “Chief of Staff, General Eyal Zamir, demanded an investigation into the attack on Monday.”
Adraee added, “The IDF expresses regret for any injury to uninvolved personnel. It does not target journalists as such and works as much as possible to minimize harm to them, while continuing to maintain the security of its forces.”
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