At least 15 people, including four journalists, were killed on Monday after Israeli airstrikes targeted Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The journalists who lost their lives were identified as:
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Hussam al-Masri, cameraman for Reuters
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Mohammed Salama, photojournalist for Al Jazeera
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Mariam Abu Daqqa (Dagga), journalist working with Associated Press and other outlets
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Moaz Abu Taha, journalist with NBC News
Photographer Hatem Khaled, also a Reuters contractor, was seriously wounded. Reuters confirmed al-Masri’s death and Khaled’s injuries, stating:
“We are devastated to learn of the death of Reuters contractor Hussam al-Masri, and injuries to another of our contractors, Hatem Khaled, in strikes on the Nasser hospital in Gaza today.”
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Double-Tap Attack on Hospital
Reports indicate a double-tap strike: the first missile hit the hospital’s fourth floor, followed by a second strike as first responders and journalists rushed to assist survivors. This tactic, condemned internationally, has raised alarms about deliberate targeting of media workers.
Legacy of Mariam Abu Daqqa
Among the victims, Mariam Abu Daqqa, nicknamed “the adventurer,” had gained recognition for documenting the suffering of children and civilians under Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Her death highlights the heavy toll on journalists attempting to cover the humanitarian crisis.
Rising Toll on Journalists in Gaza
The deaths come amid growing condemnation over the targeting of media workers. Figures from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) show at least 212 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed since the war began following the October 7 Hamas-led attacks.
Just two weeks earlier, Israeli forces killed five Al Jazeera staff outside Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, including renowned reporter Anas al-Sharif, whose alleged Hamas ties were rejected by multiple international media organizations.
International Response
A group of Democratic U.S. senators, led by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), criticized Israel’s lack of evidence regarding its claims about al-Sharif, warning of a pattern of violence aimed at silencing journalists in Gaza.
There has been no official comment from Israel on Monday’s hospital strikes.
