Gaza (TDI): Israeli forces launched two strikes on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, resulting in at least 20 fatalities, including five journalists and numerous medical and rescue personnel.
Among the journalists who have lost lives in this brutal Israeli attack are Mariam Abu Dagga – an AP freelancer, Hussam al‑Masri – a Reuters photographer, Mohammed Salama – an Al Jazeera cameraman, Moaz Abu Taha – a freelance reporter who has also contributed to Reuters, and Ahmed Abu Aziz – journalist for Middle East Eye among other outlets.
This incident has shocked the journalist communities worldwide, also drawing rebuke and condemnation from many governments. The United Nations, Germany, Britain, and France condemned the attack and called for prompt investigations.
Meanwhile Israel, as it has done in the past, rejected deliberately killing journalists. Press freedom watchdogs like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued fierce denunciations.
The death of these five journalists adds up to the hundreds of deaths inflicted upon journalists in the Gaza strip by Israel, in the name of fighting Hamas, since October 2023.
Read More: Dar Warns Netanyahu’s ‘Greater Israel’ Remarks Endanger Regional Stability
The journalists came under attack because Israel used the prohibited military tactic called a double tap attack, in which those who gather to rescue the victims of the first attack are struck shortly after.
Legal experts have pointed out that there are serious implications for using such a tactic and doing so while attacking a medical facility.
Journalists see such attacks as Israel’s deliberate attempt to stop journalists from reporting on and from Gaza because it is with the coverage provided by these reporters that the world sees Israel’s brutality and genocide.
These strikes and the subsequent deaths have also raised concerns regarding the safety of journalists in Gaza. These strikes happened as Israel is planning everyday to intensify its military campaign to an extent that it fully occupies Gaza.
The Diplomatic Insight is a digital and print magazine focusing on diplomacy, defense, and development publishing since 2009.
