Israeli airstrike kills journalists at Gaza’s Nasser hospital – what to know
Palestinians gather outside Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip following Israeli strikes. Credit: Getty Images
In a devastating “double-tap” strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 15 people, including four journalists, igniting renewed global outrage over attacks on medical facilities and press safety in the Gaza conflict.
Deadly Double-Tap Strike on Nasser Hospital
On August 25, 2025, Israeli airstrikes struck the fourth floor of the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, resulting in at least 15 deaths and numerous injuries, according to Palestinian health officials. The attack involved a “double-tap” tactic, first hitting the hospital, then striking again as rescue teams, journalists, and medics arrived on scene. The second missile intensified casualties and chaos, striking emergency responders amid the smoke and debris.
Journalists Among the Dead and Wounded
Among the casualties were four journalists covering the crisis:
- Hussam al-Masri, a contractor for Reuters, killed in the initial strike.
- Mariam Abu Dagga, a 33-year-old freelance visual journalist who worked with the Associated Press.
- Mohammed Salama, employed by Al Jazeera.
- Moaz Abu Taha, a freelance journalist.
Additionally, Hatem Khaled, a Reuters photographer, was injured in the second strike.
The Committee to Protect Journalists notes that at least 192 Palestinian journalists have died since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023, a toll described as deliberate and systematic.
Global Media and Moves for Accountability
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate denounced the attack as an “open war against free media”, accusing Israeli forces of targeting journalists to silence reporting of the conflict. Media organizations, including Reuters and the Associated Press, expressed deep grief. Reuters called for urgent medical assistance for injured staff and demanded answers. There was no immediate comment from Israeli military or government officials.
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Hospital Safety Under Siege
This strike adds to mounting evidence of increasing violence against Gaza’s health infrastructure. WHO and humanitarian agencies have documented hundreds of attacks on medical facilities, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life among civilians and healthcare workers . Independent investigators have raised grave concerns over violations of international humanitarian law, particularly given hospitals’ protected status and the use of delayed warnings, or none at all, in triggering mass casualties.
Why It Matters
- Humanitarian Impact: The assault on Nasser Hospital underscores how vital medical facilities have become perilous zones, pushing Gaza’s healthcare system closer to collapse.
- Press Freedom at Risk: The death of journalists on duty highlights a growing environment of fear and censorship, threatening the flow of information and citizen access to reality.
- International Tensions: This incident is likely to fuel international condemnation, deepen calls for accountability, and reignite scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in the Gaza conflict.
This tragic strike on Nasser Hospital is emblematic of the profound perils facing civilians, medical professionals, and journalists in Gaza, forcing the world to confront painful questions about safety, access to healthcare, and freedom of the press in zones of war.
