Israeli Airstrike on Gaza Hospital Kills 20, Including Journalists and Rescuers
An Israeli airstrike on Gaza's Nasser Hospital resulted in 20 fatalities, including journalists and rescue workers, prompting international condemnation and calls for investigation.
An Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on August 25, 2025, resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, including five journalists and several rescue workers. The strike targeted the hospital's fourth floor, followed by a second strike moments later as first responders arrived.
Among the journalists killed were Hossam al-Masri, a contractor for Reuters; Mohammed Salama of Al Jazeera; Mariam Abu Daqqa, a freelancer for the Associated Press; and Moaz Abu Taha, a reporter for NBC News.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed deep regret over the incident, describing it as a "tragic mishap" and emphasizing that Israel's conflict is directed against Hamas militants, with the primary objectives being the defeat of Hamas and the return of Israeli hostages.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike and announced an internal investigation. Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin stated that the army does not target civilians and accused Hamas of hiding among civilians but did not specify whether militants were present during the hospital strikes.
International reactions were swift. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed disapproval, stating, "I'm not happy about it. I don't want to see it." The United Nations Secretary-General condemned the attack, emphasizing that journalists and hospitals should never be targeted. The Foreign Press Association, representing international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories, called on Israel to halt its "abhorrent practice of targeting journalists."
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the attack, calling for the international community to hold Israel accountable for its "continued unlawful attacks on the press."
This incident adds to the growing number of journalists killed in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023, raising concerns about press freedom and the safety of media personnel in conflict zones.
Source
The Times of IsraelFact-checking
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