At least four Palestinian journalists were among 20 people killed in an Israeli military strike on Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
The victims included Hussam al-Masri of Reuters, Mohammad Salama of Al Jazeera, freelance journalist Mariam Abu Daqqa, and Moaz Abu Taha.
The attack targeted a hospital, a protected site under international humanitarian law, highlighting Israel's disregard for civilian lives and international humanitarian law.
The strike also killed doctors, civil defense workers, and rescue personnel responding to an initial bombing at the hospital.
Gaza’s Civil Defence reported one rescuer killed and seven injured, marking the 26th attack on their teams since the genocide began, damaging critical rescue vehicles.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society noted a medic was injured, with video evidence showing bullet holes in a marked rescue van.
Since October 2023, at least 274 journalists have been killed in Gaza suggesting a pattern of targeting media personnel.
This follows the killing of Al Jazeera’s popular journalist Anas al-Sharif two weeks prior, with Israel admitting it targeted him for his reporting.
The Palestinian Health Ministry condemned the attack as part of a systematic effort to destroy Gaza’s health system and continue what it called a genocide.
Israeli political scientist Menachem Klein described the strike as a “criminal operation” enabled by the army’s dehumanization of Palestinians.
“It’s a policy. It’s not an accident,” Klein told Al Jazeera, adding:
Israel implements this kind of criminal attack time and again. It’s not the first time, and unfortunately, I assume it won’t be the last time unless there is a ceasefire.
UN envoy Francesca Albanese called for sanctions, an arms embargo, and breaking the Gaza blockade, citing footage of a second strike during a live broadcast.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine denounced the “absolute brutality” of Israeli forces, holding Israel and its allies accountable.
These attacks highlight a broader strategy to suppress reporting and aid efforts, prompting urgent demands for international accountability.