Monday August 25, 2025
By The NewsDESK |
Israel struck Nasser hospital in the south of the Gaza Strip on Monday, August 25, killing at least 20 people, including five journalists who worked for Reuters, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and others, Reuters reported.
Cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor, was killed near a live broadcasting position operated by Reuters on an upper floor just below the roof of the hospital in Khan Younis in an initial strike, Palestinian health officials said.
Officials at the hospital and witnesses said Israel then struck the site a second time, killing other journalists as well as rescue workers and medics who had rushed to the scene to help.
The journalists killed included Mariam Abu Dagga, who freelanced for the Associated Press, AP, and other outlets, Mohammed Salama, who worked for Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, Moaz Abu Taha, a freelance journalist who worked with several news organisations including occasionally contributing to Reuters, and Ahmed Abu Aziz.
Photographer Hatem Khaled, also a Reuters contractor, was wounded.
Israel’s military, the Israel Defense Forces, IDF, acknowledged striking the area of Nasser hospital and said the chief of the general staff had ordered an inquiry.
The IDF “regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. The IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of IDF troops,” it said.
A Reuters spokesperson said in a statement: “We are devastated to learn that cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a contractor for Reuters, was killed this morning in Israeli strikes on Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in Gaza. Moaz Abu Taha, a freelance journalist whose work had been occasionally published by Reuters, was also killed, and photographer Hatem Khaled, a Reuters contractor, was wounded.”
“We are urgently seeking more information and have asked authorities in Gaza and Israel to help us get urgent medical assistance for Hatem,” the spokesperson added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel “deeply regrets” the “tragic mishap” that took place at Nasser hospital.
The Israeli leader also said the military authorities were conducting a thorough investigation into what happened.
“Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza,” Netanyahu said.
“Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation.
“Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home.”
Israel Regrets Mishap After Killing At Least 20 People, Including Five Journalists At Gaza Hospital
