Israeli forces struck Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, at least four times during an attack that reportedly killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, according to subsequent analysis by BBC Verify. Initial accounts had described two strikes, but examination of eyewitness recordings and other video indicated that four separate impacts occurred in two waves. [Source 6683]
The first wave hit two staircases at approximately 10:08 local time. One strike struck an exterior staircase on the hospital’s eastern side, where Reuters contractor Hussam al-Masri was operating a live video feed. He was killed, and the feed abruptly ended. Video analysis identified another nearly simultaneous blast at a staircase in the hospital’s northern wing. [Sources 6680, 6683]
About nine minutes later, journalists and emergency workers had gathered at the eastern staircase. Footage examined frame by frame showed two projectiles hitting that location within a fraction of a second, rather than the single follow-up strike initially reported. Analysts consulted by the BBC differed over the weapons involved and said the available imagery did not allow a definitive identification. Satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify showed Israeli forces about 2.5 kilometres northeast of the hospital and within firing range that day. [Source 6683]
Those killed included al-Masri; Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelancer who worked with the Associated Press and other organisations; Al Jazeera photojournalist Mohammed Salama; journalist Moaz Abu Taha; and Ahmad Abu Aziz, who later died from his injuries. Reuters contractor Hatem Khaled was wounded. The Associated Press said Abu Dagga regularly worked from the hospital, while Reuters said it was seeking further information and urgent medical assistance for Khaled. [Source 6680]
The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged carrying out a strike in the hospital area and said it regretted harm to uninvolved people. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later called the incident a “tragic mishap.” An initial military inquiry said troops had identified a camera allegedly used by Hamas to observe Israeli forces, but the IDF did not provide evidence for that assertion. Approached about the additional impacts identified in the footage, the military offered no further comment and had not acknowledged more than one strike. [Source 6683]
The attack drew condemnation focused on the protection owed to civilians, medical workers and journalists. UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said hospitals and journalists must not be targeted. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a prompt and impartial investigation, while World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said another 50 people were injured, including critically ill patients. [Sources 6680, 6682]
International journalists are not permitted by Israel to enter Gaza independently, leaving Palestinian reporters and local freelancers central to coverage from inside the territory. The hospital strikes intensified scrutiny of the risks they face and of repeated damage to Gaza’s already constrained healthcare system. [Sources 6682, 6683]
