Days after the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem expressed hope that “hearts can change even in the Holy Land,” at least 20 people — including five journalists — have been reported killed in Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital, located in southern Gaza.
BBC News has verified several videos of the Aug. 25 attack, showing two strikes on the facility.
In a livestream video by Al Ghad TV, emergency workers are seen responding to an initial blast aimed at the building’s top floor. Journalists are among those gathered to record the rescue efforts, with several individuals positioned on a staircase, where a second strike took place. BBC News reported that “at least one body is visible in the aftermath.”
Among those slain in the strikes were Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri; freelance journalist Mariam Dagga, who had worked with the Associated Press; Mohammed Salama of Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye; freelance journalist Ahmad Abu Aziz, who worked with Middle East Eye; and Moas Abu Taha, whose media affiliations are still being confirmed.
Their deaths follow those of six other journalists who died in an Aug. 10 strike on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
International condemnation of the strike
In an Aug. 25 statement, Israel Defense Forces confirmed the latest strike, noting that it “regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such.”
IDF said its chief of general staff “instructed to conduct an initial inquiry as soon as possible,” and stressed that “the IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of IDF troops.”
The latest strikes have drawn international condemnation, with World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posting on X that the blast hit critical areas in the hospital, including its emergency department, inpatient ward, surgical unit and emergency staircase.
Read more: https://www.osvnews.com/journalists-killed-in-gaza-hospital-strike-following-global-day-of-prayer-for-peace/
By Gina Christian | osvnews
