By Elham Asaad Buaras
London, (The Muslim News): International outrage mounted on Monday after Israeli airstrikes on Gaza’s Nasser Medical Complex killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, a firefighter, and patients, in what witnesses described as a twin strike on the hospital as rescuers rushed to save the wounded. In total, at least 47 Palestinians were killed across the enclave that day.
The Gaza Health Ministry said the Israeli army struck the fourth floor of one of the hospital’s buildings twice, with the second missile landing as rescue teams were evacuating casualties. The attack wiped out some of Gaza’s best-known journalists. Palestine TV confirmed the death of its cameraman, Hussam al-Masri, while Al Jazeera announced that its photographer, Mohammad Salama, had also been killed.
A medical source cited by Anadolu confirmed the deaths of freelance photojournalist Mariam Abu Dagga, who had been documenting the humanitarian crisis for the Associated Press, as well as photojournalist Moaz Abu Taha and reporter Ahmed Abu Aziz, who contributed to Tunisian and Moroccan outlets.
The Palestinian Civil Defence reported that a fire engine driver was killed in the blast, while seven members of his team were injured as they attempted rescues.
Separately, journalist Hassan Douhan of the daily Al-Hayat al-Jadida was killed by Israeli fire in Al-Mawasi, southern Gaza. According to the Government Media Office, these incidents raised the number of journalists killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict in October 2023 to 246.
The Israeli army admitted responsibility for the hospital strike, claiming it “regrets any harm to uninvolved [civilians] and in no way directs strikes at journalists.” Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered an “initial inquiry”, though past investigations into similar incidents have ended without accountability, fuelling accusations of evasion of responsibility.
The attack drew swift condemnation worldwide. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he “strongly condemns the killing of Palestinians today in Israeli strikes that hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Those killed, in addition to civilians, included medical personnel and journalists.” He stressed that doctors and reporters must be able to work “without interference, intimidation, or harm, in full accordance with international humanitarian law” and reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and the release of hostages.
In Washington, US President Donald Trump voiced displeasure at the scenes from Khan Younis. “I’m not happy about it. I don’t want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that nightmare. I’m the one that got the hostages out,” he told reporters.
In Europe, Commissioner Hadja Lahbib urged Israel to halt the killing of journalists, declaring, “Once again, I call on Israel to stop the practice of killing those who are trying to tell the world what is happening in Gaza. Journalists, doctors, and rescue workers must be protected at all times.”
News organisations paid tribute to their slain colleagues. The Associated Press mourned Abu Dagga, 33, recalling her reporting on doctors’ desperate attempts to save children suffering from severe malnutrition. Independent Arabia called her “an example of courage and dedication in conveying the truth.” Reuters confirmed al-Masri’s death and said its photographer, Hatem Khaled, had been wounded in the hospital strike.
Even as the world reacted to the attack on Nasser Hospital, Israeli bombardment continued across Gaza, striking homes, bakeries, and shelters, and killing and wounding civilians, including children and families. In central and southern Gaza, people seeking aid and those sheltering near mosques or distribution sites were killed or injured amid ongoing strikes and gunfire.
The Gaza Health Ministry said that in the past 24 hours alone, 58 Palestinians had been killed and 308 wounded. This brings the reported total since the war began in October 2023 to 62,744 dead and 158,259 injured. The ministry also confirmed 11 new famine-related deaths during the same period—including two children—raising the cumulative number of famine deaths to 300, of whom 117 were children. “Many victims remain trapped under rubble or on the streets,” the ministry warned, adding that rescue teams are still unable to reach them due to relentless bombardment and shortages of equipment.
Humanitarian operations are increasingly paralysed. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that on Sunday, out of 15 aid missions requiring coordination, Israeli authorities allowed only seven to proceed. Four were cancelled or denied outright, while others were obstructed on the ground and only partially completed, including missions to collect food and vaccines.
Since October, the war has claimed the lives of at least 193 academics and professors, along with more than 800 teachers and education staff, according to the Government Media Office. “Targeting scholars and academics is a systematic policy to create a long-term intellectual and cultural vacuum, weaken national institutions, and deprive future generations of accumulated expertise and knowledge,” said Ismail al-Thawabta, head of the office. He accused Israel of seeking to dismantle Palestinian national identity and silence independent voices.
[Photo: A view shows the Nasser Medical Complex damaged after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on August 25, 2025. Twenty Palestinians, including five journalists and a firefighter, were killed and several others wounded in the attack. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed that 20 Palestinians, including patients, health workers, civil defense, press crews, were killed and several others injured in the attack. The ministry said the Israeli army hit the fourth floor of one of the complex’s buildings with two airstrikes, noting that the second strike occurred as rescue teams arrived to evacuate the wounded and recover the dead. Photojournalist: Abed Rahim Khatib/AA]
