Israeli Airstrike on Gaza Hospital Kills Five Journalists, Sparks Global Outrage

Khan Younis, Gaza – An Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Monday killed five Palestinian journalists, including Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammad Salama, prompting widespread international condemnation. The attack, described as a "double-tap" strike, involved two missiles hitting the hospital in quick succession, killing 20 people in total, including rescue workers and civilians, as Israel intensifies its offensive to seize Gaza City.

The journalists, working for various outlets including Al Jazeera and Reuters, were targeted in what Al Jazeera Media Network called a “systematic campaign to silence the truth.” The network condemned the strike as a “horrific crime” and a violation of international laws, accusing Israel of deliberately targeting journalists to suppress coverage of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where a famine was declared last week. **Global Reactions** The attack drew sharp criticism from international leaders and organizations. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, labeled the killings a “war crime” and an assault on press freedom. Turkey’s presidential communications directorate called the strikes “another war crime,” accusing Israel of attempting to hide the truth through systematic attacks on journalists. Britain’s Foreign Minister David Lammy expressed horror, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians, healthcare workers, and journalists. Spain’s foreign ministry condemned the strike as a “flagrant violation of humanitarian law,” demanding an investigation. Germany echoed the call for a probe, urging Israel to allow independent foreign media access to Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron described the strikes as “intolerable,” emphasizing that journalists must be free to report. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the attack, with Regional Director Sara Qudah stating, “These murders must end now. The perpetrators must no longer be allowed to act with impunity.” The Foreign Press Association, representing international media in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, demanded an immediate explanation from Israeli authorities, calling the attack a “watershed moment.” Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to address the killings and ensure accountability. Reuters, whose contractor Hussam al-Masri was among the victims, expressed devastation and is seeking urgent medical assistance for another injured contractor, Hatem Khaled. The United Nations also condemned the attack, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for a prompt and impartial investigation. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini and UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani demanded immediate protection for journalists and humanitarian workers, with Shamdasani stating, “Journalists are not a target. Hospitals are not a target.” **Context of the Attack** The strike comes amid Israel’s 23-month military campaign in Gaza, which has barred international media from entering the enclave. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) described the attack as evidence of Israel’s “absolute brutality and sadism,” holding Israel and its allies, particularly the United States, responsible. The attack on Nasser Hospital, a key medical facility in southern Gaza, has intensified concerns about the targeting of protected sites and individuals under international humanitarian law. UN envoy Francesca Albanese urged states to impose sanctions and an arms embargo to stop the “carnage” in Gaza. As the death toll rises and famine grips the enclave, calls for accountability and an end to the violence continue to grow, with the international community urged to act swiftly to protect journalists and civilians caught in the conflict.