Khan Younis, Gaza , 25 August (H.S.): At least 15 Palestinians, including four journalists, were killed on Monday when Israeli forces struck the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, Gaza’s health ministry confirmed. Dozens more were injured in the attack, which has drawn sharp condemnation from media organizations and humanitarian agencies.
The journalists who lost their lives were identified as:
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Mohammad Salama, cameraman, Al Jazeera
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Hossam Al-Masri, cameraman, Reuters
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Mariam Abu Daqqa, reporter, Independent Arabia and Associated Press
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Moaz Abu Taha, correspondent, NBC
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In addition, Reuters photographer Hatem Khaled sustained injuries during the strike.
According to witnesses, the hospital was first hit by a suicide drone targeting the upper floors, including the roof where journalists were reporting. Minutes later, a second blast struck the same site as rescue teams and medics rushed in—a tactic described by officials as a “double-tap strike.”
Several ambulance staff and civil defence workers were also killed while attempting to evacuate the wounded.
The health ministry warned that repeated Israeli strikes on medical facilities are accelerating the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system, already crippled by severe shortages of medicines, equipment, and electricity. Nasser Hospital, one of the enclave’s largest remaining medical centres, has been a lifeline for thousands of war-wounded. Its targeting has further alarmed international aid agencies, with the United Nations cautioning that Gaza’s health sector is on the verge of total breakdown.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) noted that more than 250 journalists have been killed since October 7, 2023, making Gaza the deadliest conflict zone in the world for media workers.
Overall, Gaza’s health ministry reports that at least 62,686 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s ongoing military campaign, with thousands more feared trapped beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings.
Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar
