Israeli airstrike on Gaza hospital kills 8, including 4 journalists

KHAN YOUNIS: An Israeli airstrike hit the fourth floor of southern Gaza’s main hospital Monday, killing at least eight people, Gaza’s health ministry said.

The ministry said the victims on the fourth floor of Nasser Hospital were killed in a double-tap strike — one missile hitting first, then another moments later as rescue crews arrived.Israel’s military did not immediately respond to questions about the strike.

Four journalists were among those who were killed in the hospital strike. including a freelancer who worked for the Associated Press.

Mariam Daqqa, 33 freelanced for the AP since the Gaza war began, as well as other news outlets.

Daqqa reported on Nasser Hospital doctors struggling to save children with no prior health issues who were wasting away from 

Khan Younis’ Nasser Hospital, the largest in southern Gaza, has withstood raids and bombardment throughout 22 months of war, with officials citing critical shortages of supplies and staff.Al Jazeera confirmed that its journalist Mohammed Salam was among those who were killed in the Nasser hospital strike. Reuters reported that its contractor cameraman Hussam al-Masri was also killed in the strike. Photographer Hatem Khaled, who was also a Reuters contractor, was wounded, the news agency reported.

The Israel-Hamas has been one of the bloodiest conflicts for media workers, with a total of 192 journalists killed in Gaza in the 22-month conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Comparatively, 18 journalists have been killed so far in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the CPJ.