Questions Arise After Deadly Israeli Strikes on Gaza Hospital

Tue Sep 23 2025 12:39:15 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

An Israeli attack on a Gaza hospital, which claimed the lives of 22 individuals, including five journalists, has raised serious concerns regarding the rationale behind the strike and the methods employed. Evidence indicated that Israeli forces may have misidentified their targets, prompting global outcry.

The tragic incident at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, which resulted in 22 fatalities including several journalists, has led to scrutiny of Israeli military operations. Analysts from the Associated Press have called into question the reasoning behind the airstrikes, particularly after it was revealed that a key target was misidentified. Eyewitness accounts and video analysis have indicated that the strikes may constitute a potential war crime due to the targeting of a medical facility and its personnel.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Associated Press' investigation into an Israeli airstrike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip that killed 22 individuals, including five journalists, has left observers questioning the justification for the attacks and the military’s operational conduct. Among the deceased is Mariam Dagga, a journalist who worked for various outlets, including AP.

The Israeli military targeted a location identified as a gathering point for journalists, under the pretext that a camera on the hospital roof was used by Hamas for surveillance. Officials cited 'suspicious behavior' without clarity on the specifics of the intelligence behind this belief, stating that a towel covering the camera was perceived as an attempt to conceal it. However, evidence gathered suggests that the camera belonged to Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters cameraman known for covering his equipment to shield it from the harsh sun and dust. This assertion casts doubt on the military’s explanations for the attack, especially as al-Masri was killed in the initial strike.

Eyewitnesses report that the position had been observed by Israeli drones shortly before the attack, and advocates for press freedom have highlighted the need for accountable military measures. Additional troubling decisions came to light following the strike. Testimonies revealed that Israeli forces attacked the same location again after emergency responders had arrived, raising accusations of a 'double tap' strike—tactics often associated with war crimes aimed at killing first responders.

In total, the facility endured four strikes, with each handled without prior warnings, according to reports. The Israeli military, while conducting an ongoing investigation, has not provided evidence supporting their claims and has not clarified whether any of the journalists were intended targets. Further documentation reveals that during the ongoing conflict, approximately 189 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza, sparking furious backlash regarding the treatment of media personnel amidst hostilities.