Israeli Soldiers Admit Striking Journalists and Rescue Teams at Nasser Hospital, Claim They Targeted “Hamas Camera”
Gaza (Quds News Network)- Israeli soldiers admitted firing two shells at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Monday. They claimed they were targeting a “Hamas camera.” The strikes killed at least 20 Palestinians, including journalists, medical staff, and rescue workers.
The Health Ministry in Gaza said the army first hit the hospital’s fourth floor. Minutes later, it struck medical teams who rushed to help the wounded. Nasser Hospital is the only functioning medical center in southern Gaza. Hospital officials said dozens were also injured.
Among the victims were five journalists:
- Hussam Al-Masri, Reuters photojournalist
- Mohammed Salama, Al Jazeera photojournalist
- Mariam Abu Daqqa, journalist with Independent Arabia and AP
- Moath Abu Taha, journalist with NBC News
- Ahmed Abu Aziz, journalist with Quds Feed
Other victims included Mohammad Al-Habibi, a sixth-year medical student, and Imad Al-Shaer, a civil defense firefighter and father of three.
Israeli soldiers claimed that there was a camera that was used by Hamas to monitor military movements. They fired a second shell to “confirm the hit.” That strike landed on rescue teams and doctors treating the injured.
Senior Israeli officers questioned this account.
The Israeli army said the Chief of Staff ordered a preliminary investigation, claiming that the army “does not target journalists”.
The Gaza Health Ministry condemned the attack. “The occupation forces’ targeting of the hospital today and the killing of medical personnel, journalists, and civil defense personnel is a continuation of the systematic destruction of the health system and the continuation of genocide,” it said.
Footage from the hospital showed journalists standing on the stairs before they were hit in the second strike.
Nasser Hospital is struggling to cope. It has more than 1,000 patients but only 340 beds. Many lie in corridors or on the floor.
The Gaza Media Office said the number of journalists killed since the genocide began has now reached 245. It stated that Israel is carrying out systematic assassinations of Palestinian reporters.
Later on the same day, Israeli forces targeted journalist Hasan Dohan while he was inside his tent in Al-Mawasi.
