Israel carried out a devastating strike on one of the main hospitals in the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 20 people and wounding many more, according to local health authorities. A second strike targeted the same facility shortly after, hitting journalists and rescue workers who rushed to help the victims.
The attack marks one of the deadliest incidents in a series of Israeli strikes against hospitals and media personnel during the 22-month conflict in Gaza. Israel’s military has intensified its operations as it plans to expand offensives into heavily populated areas, aiming to eliminate Hamas after the group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Among those killed were five journalists covering the conflict. One of them, 33-year-old Mariam Dagga, a visual journalist for The Associated Press, was killed during the second strike. She had joined rescue teams and fellow reporters on an external stairwell when the hospital was hit again.
The Reuters news agency confirmed that one of its reporters died in the initial strike while broadcasting a live television report from the upper floors of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The follow-up attack struck as journalists and emergency personnel wearing bright orange vests attempted to reach the first strike victims.
Local health workers described the scene as chaotic and deadly. Hospitals in Gaza have increasingly become targets during the conflict, raising concerns among humanitarian organizations about the safety of civilians, journalists, and medical personnel.
Israel has stated that its operations target Hamas military infrastructure, but the repeated strikes on civilian areas and medical facilities have drawn international criticism. Humanitarian groups have warned that attacks on hospitals and journalists violate international law and endanger lives already strained by ongoing conflict and shortages of medical supplies.
The Gaza Strip has experienced relentless bombing campaigns, with hospitals overwhelmed by casualties and shortages of essential supplies. Over the past 22 months, health facilities have struggled to provide care amid widespread destruction of infrastructure and limited access to electricity, water, and medical equipment.
Journalists reporting from Gaza face heightened risks as frontline reporting becomes increasingly dangerous. Several international news organizations have condemned attacks on media personnel, emphasizing the critical role of journalists in documenting the human toll of war and providing timely information to the global public.
Rescue teams in Gaza have repeatedly been caught in crossfire while attempting to reach civilians trapped under debris. Emergency workers describe long hours and life-threatening conditions while trying to evacuate the wounded, often with limited protective equipment.
The strike at Nasser Hospital is expected to further heighten tensions between Israel and Gaza, with calls from the international community for restraint and protection of civilians. The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations continue to urge both parties to abide by international humanitarian law and avoid actions that could exacerbate the suffering of innocent civilians.
The attack underscores the ongoing dangers faced by those living in Gaza and highlights the critical need for protection of medical and press personnel in conflict zones. As the situation evolves, global attention is turning toward the escalating conflict, the growing humanitarian crisis, and the urgent need for measures to safeguard lives amid violence.
