Israel hits Gaza hospital, killing at least 15 people, including journalists

Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital in Gaza on Monday killed at least 15 people, including four journalists, one of whom worked for Reuters, Palestinian health officials said.

Cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor, was killed in the first strike, according to the officials.

Photographer Hatem Khaled, who was also a Reuters contractor, was wounded in a second strike, the officials said.

Witnesses said the second strike took place after rescue workers, journalists and other people had rushed to the site of the initial attack. The Reuters live video feed from the hospital, which was operated by Masri, suddenly shut down at the moment of the initial strike, Reuters footage showed.

Health officials in Gaza named the three other journalists as Mariam Abu Dagga, Mohammed Salama and Moaz Abu Taha. A rescue worker was also among those killed, they added.

The Israeli military and Prime Minister's Office both had no immediate comment regarding the strikes.

However, Israel's military now confirm it carried out a strike in the area of Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. It also says the Chief of the General Staff has instructed an initial inquiry into the strike as soon as possible and said it regretted any harm to uninvolved individuals and says it doesn't target journalists as such. Meanwhile, the Israeli military statement didn't say who the military was targeting at the time.

More than 240 Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the war started on 7 October, 2023, according to the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate.

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