Journalists Among the Dead as International Leaders Condemn Attack on Medical Facility
DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA STRIP – INTERNATIONAL NEWS — One of Gaza’s largest hospitals was struck twice on Monday, August 25, 2025, leaving at least 20 people dead and scores more wounded, according to Gaza health officials.
The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis was first hit on an upper floor housing operating rooms and doctors’ residences. As rescuers and journalists rushed to the scene, a second strike hit the hospital’s external stairwell, killing 18 more people and injuring dozens in the courtyard.
The dead included five journalists, among them 33-year-old Mariam Dagga, a visual journalist working with the Associated Press, who had recently covered Gaza’s growing child malnutrition crisis. Freelancers and contractors for Al Jazeera, Reuters, and Middle East Eye were also killed. Reuters confirmed its live feed from the hospital ended abruptly when its contributor filming the scene was struck in the first blast.
Israel Acknowledges Strike, Calls It a “Tragic Mishap”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called the hospital strike a “tragic mishap”, saying an internal military investigation was underway. Israeli media reported that troops may have been targeting a suspected Hamas surveillance camera on the hospital roof.
Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, an Israeli military spokesperson, reiterated that Israel “does not target civilians” and accused Hamas of embedding fighters in hospitals, though no evidence was provided in this case.
The statement of regret did little to quell international outrage. The United Nations, along with Britain, France, and other governments, issued strong condemnations. U.S. President Donald Trump initially said he was unaware of the strike but later commented: “I’m not happy about it. I don’t want to see it.” He added that he believed there could be a “conclusive ending” in Gaza in the coming weeks, without elaboration.
“Scenes of Chaos and Disbelief”
A British doctor working in Nasser Hospital described the aftermath:
“Just absolute scenes of chaos, disbelief and fear. People were leaving trails of blood as they entered the ward. The hospital was already overwhelmed, with patients lying on the floor hooked to IVs in stifling heat.”
Nasser Hospital has been hit multiple times during the 22-month conflict. A March 2025 strike on its surgical unit killed a Hamas official and a teenager, while a June 2025 strike killed three people.
Escalating Civilian Toll
The Gaza Health Ministry said Sunday that at least 62,686 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with roughly half of the victims identified as women and children. The ministry, though overseen by Hamas, is widely regarded by the U.N. and international experts as the most reliable source for casualty figures. Israel disputes the numbers but has not released its own.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages. While most have since been released, around 50 remain in Gaza, with roughly 20 believed to be alive.
Aid Seekers Also Killed
Separately, Al-Awda Hospital reported that Israeli gunfire killed six civilians and wounded 15 more as they attempted to reach a food distribution site in central Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor. The Israeli military said it was unaware of casualties in that area, while the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation denied that shootings occurred near its distribution points.
One of the Deadliest Wars for Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called the conflict in Gaza “one of the deadliest wars for media workers in recent history.” At least 189 Palestinian journalists and over 1,500 health workers have been killed since October 2023.
“Israel’s killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches,” said Sara Qudah, CPJ’s regional director. The Foreign Press Association also condemned the strikes, calling on Israel to end “its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists,” and noted that independent international journalists have been barred from entering Gaza except on military-guided tours.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Hospitals across Gaza are operating in dire conditions, with shortages of medicine, fuel, and staff. Overcrowded wards have forced doctors to treat patients on floors, while the number of malnourished children continues to rise.
As Israel signals plans to expand its offensive into even more densely populated areas, humanitarian agencies warn that civilian casualties will climb sharply, raising urgent questions about the protection of civilians and the role of international oversight.
