At least 14 people, including four journalists, have been killed in an Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The journalists who lost their lives have been identified as Al Jazeera photographer Mohammed Salameh, cameramen Moaz Abu Taha and Hossam al-Masri, and photojournalist Mariam Abu Daqqa. Several others, including two journalists, were wounded in the attack.
According to reporters on the ground, the strike was carried out by a suicide drone that hit the upper part of the hospital where journalists were standing. When medical staff rushed to help the injured, a second strike occurred, causing more casualties.
This latest attack adds to the growing number of media workers killed in Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza. Since the conflict began in October 2023, more than 240 journalists have been killed, making Gaza the most dangerous place in the world for reporters, according to rights groups.
Amnesty International condemned the attacks, saying:
“No conflict in modern history has seen a higher number of journalists killed than Israel’s war on Gaza.”
Palestinian journalist Hind Khoudary, reporting from Deir el-Balah, explained why many journalists operate from hospitals:
“We have no electricity or internet. Hospitals are among the few places where we can connect and report. We follow the wounded and malnutrition cases, which are always brought to hospitals. That is why journalists make hospitals their base — and why they end up being targeted.”
The situation in Gaza continues to worsen. Health officials say at least 300 people, including 117 children, have died from malnutrition as famine spreads across the territory. Doctors at Nasser Hospital report that they lack the resources to save starving children.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have stepped up attacks on Gaza City neighborhoods such as Zeitoun and Sabra, destroying homes and forcing thousands to flee south. Entire residential blocks and tent shelters have been bombed, leaving families displaced and desperate.
Rights groups and international organizations have called for an immediate halt to attacks on civilians and journalists. However, Israel maintains its military operations, claiming it is targeting Hamas infrastructure hidden in civilian areas.
