An Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on August 25, 2025, killed at least 20 people, including five journalists working for major international agencies such as Reuters, the Associated Press, and Al Jazeera. The journalists who lost their lives were identified as Hussam al-Masri, Mariam Abu Dagga, Moaz Abu Taha, Mohammed Salama, and Ahmed Abu Aziz.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a “tragic mishap” and expressed regret, reiterating that Israel’s war was against Hamas terrorists and aimed at defeating the group and rescuing hostages held in Gaza. Medical officials confirmed that two missiles struck the hospital, causing heavy casualties.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that the Israel-Hamas conflict has become one of the deadliest for media workers, with at least 192 journalists killed in Gaza over the 22-month war. By comparison, 18 journalists have died in Russia’s war in Ukraine during the same period.
Global Reactions
U.S. President Donald Trump, responding to the news, said he was “not happy about it” and emphasized the need to bring an end to the ongoing “nightmare” in Gaza. Germany’s foreign ministry said it was “shocked by the killing of several journalists, rescue workers, and civilians,” demanding an investigation and urging Israel to allow immediate foreign media access and ensure journalist protection.
U.K. Foreign Minister David Lammy said he was “horrified” by the strike, while Qatar denounced it as “a new episode in the ongoing series of heinous crimes” by Israel. The Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem called for an “immediate explanation” and demanded an end to what it termed the targeting of journalists.
Investigation Underway
The Israeli military confirmed carrying out a strike in the vicinity of Nasser Hospital and announced it would conduct an investigation. It reiterated that journalists are not targeted as such and expressed regret over civilian casualties. However, Israel has previously accused some Gaza-based journalists of militant ties, such as Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, who was killed earlier this month. Israel alleged he was a Hamas operative, a claim strongly rejected by Al Jazeera.
Due to restrictions, international media has largely been barred from independently covering the war in Gaza. Most reporting has relied on Palestinian journalists and residents inside the enclave, whose safety has increasingly come under threat as the conflict continues.
