by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza (Worthy News) – An Israeli military strike on Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis killed at least 20 people on Monday morning, including five journalists, according to local health authorities and international media outlets.
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said dozens more were wounded in the attack, which struck the hospital while it was operating at full capacity with more than 1,000 patients. Rescue workers arriving after an initial shelling were engulfed in smoke and debris when a second strike hit the hospital staircase, an area often used by reporters to film.
IDF Confirms Strike, Orders Inquiry
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed three hours later that its forces had carried out a strike in the vicinity of the hospital. A military official told The Times of Israel that the attack was not conducted by the Air Force, indicating ground forces most likely carried it out.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered an immediate inquiry, while IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin stressed in a statement that the military does not “intentionally target civilians” and “regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals.”
Military officials told Hebrew media that a tank crew had fired two shells at what they believed was a camera tracking Israeli forces, with the second round striking rescuers and journalists who had rushed to the scene.
“This is a tragic mishap,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday night. “Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our sole goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home.”
Journalists Among the Dead
Those killed included cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor; freelance photographer Mariam Abu Dagga, who had contributed to the Associated Press; Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Salama; and local journalist Moaz Abu Taha. Another Reuters photographer, Hatem Khaled, was wounded.
A rescue worker was also among the victims, according to Gaza health officials.
Global Condemnation
The strike drew swift international criticism.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack and called for a “prompt, impartial investigation,” stressing that “civilians, including medical personnel and journalists, must be respected and protected at all times.”
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy posted on X that he was “horrified by Israel’s attack on Nasser hospital,” adding, “Civilians, healthcare workers and journalists must be protected. We need an immediate ceasefire.”
French President Emmanuel Macron called the strike “intolerable,” while Germany’s Foreign Ministry said it was “shocked” by the deaths and demanded a full investigation.
U.S. Response
At a White House press conference, President Donald Trump said he was “not happy about it” but emphasized the need to bring the conflict to an end. Trump also reiterated his belief that “probably just under 20” hostages remain alive in Gaza, a claim Israel’s hostage coordinator disputed.
Trump added that the United States was engaged in “a very serious diplomatic push on Gaza” and expected a “good, conclusive ending” within two to three weeks.
Questions Over Military Conduct
The IDF has faced increasing scrutiny over civilian deaths in Gaza. Military analysts noted that higher-level authorization is typically required for any strike on a hospital, raising questions about oversight. Some IDF insiders suggested disagreements exist within the command over how targets near sensitive sites are handled.
Since March, when Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor assumed command of IDF Southern Command. Israeli operations in Gaza have faced criticism for higher civilian casualty ratios compared with earlier phases of the war.
While Israel accuses Hamas of using hospitals as shields for military operations, critics argue that the strike on Nasser Hospital underscores the growing difficulty Israel faces in balancing military objectives with civilian protection.
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