On August 25, 2025, an Israeli airstrike targeted the fourth floor of Nasser Hospital in Deir al-Balah, southern Gaza, killing at least 15 people, including four journalists, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Double-Tap Attack Raises Alarms Over Targeting Rescue Teams
Eyewitnesses and reporting indicate this was a double-tap strike—a missile struck, followed moments later by a second strike aimed at first responders arriving on scene. This tactic sparked serious concerns about the targeting of rescuers and journalists.
Who Were the Journalists Killed?
Among those killed were:
- Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor and cameraman, killed in the first strike.
- Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelance visual journalist for AP.
- Mohammed Salam, reporter for Al Jazeera.
- Moaz Abu Taha, an NBC journalist.
Additionally, Reuters photographer Hatem Khaled was injured.
Nasser Hospital: A Lifeline in Southern Gaza
Located in Khan Yunis, the Nasser Medical Complex is one of Gaza’s largest and few remaining functioning hospitals. It has been repeatedly targeted amid the 22-month Israel–Hamas war, leaving it critically strained and under-resourced.
Broader Impact: Press Freedom and Humanitarian Fallout
The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that this war is the deadliest in the 21st century for media workers, with at least 192 journalists killed in Gaza over the conflict—far outpacing other war zones like Ukraine.
Such attacks not only rob frontline journalism of its voices but also impede critical reporting and escalate the humanitarian crisis by silencing those who bring it to light.
International Response and Calls for Accountability
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate and global press freedom organizations have condemned the strike as an assault on free media. There has been no official Israeli response to this specific incident, though it has previously claimed that militants use hospitals for military purposes—an assertion often made without publicly substantiated evidence.
Conclusion: Pressing Need to Protect Journalists
The tragic strike on Nasser Hospital—especially the loss of journalists amidst a double-tap attack—underscores the urgent need for international oversight and enforcement of international humanitarian law. Ensuring the protection of journalists and medical facilities must be a non-negotiable priority in conflict zones.
