The Gaza conflict reached a new level of horror on Monday, August 25, 2025, after an Israeli strike on Nasar Hospital in Khan Younis left at least 20 people dead, including five journalists and a member of the civil defense. The attack has sparked global outrage, particularly over the loss of media professionals reporting from the frontlines.
🕊️ Journalists Among the Dead
The Palestinian Journalists Association confirmed the deaths of several reporters who were covering the conflict:
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Mohammad Salama – Al Jazeera photojournalist
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Maryam Dagga (33) – Visual journalist with the Associated Press (AP)
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Hussam al-Masri – Reuters contractor
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Muj Abu Taha – Reporter associated with multiple international and local media outlets
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Ahmed Abu Aziz – Independent journalist
Reuters also reported injuries to their correspondent Hatem Khalid, while AP expressed “deep grief” over the loss of their colleague.
Media watchdogs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), condemned the strike, stating that deliberately targeting journalists in war is a grave violation of international law.
⚔️ Israeli Army’s Response
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) admitted to striking the Nasar Hospital area, confirming that an investigation has been ordered. The IDF reiterated in its statement:
“We do not target journalists. The army deeply regrets the harm to innocent civilians.”
However, eyewitness accounts and footage from AFP showed smoke, blood, and debris scattered across the hospital grounds. One video depicted a body hanging from the hospital’s upper floor, while medics carried the wounded, including a female health worker drenched in blood with her leg strapped after sustaining heavy injuries.
📉 Rising Death Toll in Gaza
According to Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmood Bassal, the strike involved both drone fire and an air raid during ongoing rescue efforts.
The overall toll of the war has been devastating:
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200 journalists have been killed since the conflict began.
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62,744 Palestinians have died in Israeli operations, the majority being civilians.
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The war began in October 2023, after Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel, which killed 1,219 Israelis.
🌍 Global Concern
International organizations and media outlets have condemned the strike. Human rights advocates argue that the repeated targeting of hospitals and media workers reflects the extreme humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The deaths of journalists once again underline the peril of reporting in conflict zones and the urgent need for greater accountability in war crimes investigations.
⚠️ Conclusion: The latest hospital strike in Khan Younis has intensified global criticism of Israel’s military campaign, highlighting both the human and professional toll on Gaza’s civilian population and press freedom.