On Monday, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza resulted in the deaths of five Palestinian journalists, marking one of the deadliest incidents for media personnel in the ongoing conflict. Over nearly two years of fighting, almost 200 reporters have been killed.
The strike, which occurred at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, also killed at least 20 others, including medical staff and responding journalists. Eyewitness accounts suggest this may have been a “double tap” strike, designed to hit those who come to help after the first blast.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, referred to the hospital attack as a “tragic accident,” and investigations have been initiated into the incident. While Hamas militants have claimed responsibility for the deaths during the strike, many critics and press freedom advocates argue that the Israeli military often avoids accountability, and some believe they may be deliberately targeting journalists.
Among the slain journalists was Mohammed Salama, employed by Al Jazeera, along with Mariam Abu Dagga from the Associated Press, Husam al-Masri who worked for Reuters, freelance journalist Mores Abu Taha, and Ahmed Abu Aziz of Middle Eastern Eye.
Dion Nissenbaum, the executive producer of a documentary exploring previous killings of journalists, questioned how systemic failures could lead to such outcomes, emphasizing the persistent patterns in how Israel engages in warfare.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has documented the deaths of 189 journalists during the conflict in Gaza, while a total of 197 journalists have lost their lives since hostilities began, including Israeli journalists killed in attacks attributed to Hamas.
The strike on Nasser Hospital deeply shocked advocates for press freedom, as they witnessed the subsequent targeting of rescue efforts and journalists in real-time.
RSF USA’s Executive Director Clayton Weimers highlighted Netanyahu’s characterization of the incident as an “accident,” which he found misleading. He noted that after the initial strike, medical professionals and journalists went to assist and were subsequently hit again—a sequence that suggests intentional targeting.
The Israeli military claimed the airstrike was based on the activities of what they termed Hamas operatives who were supposedly using the hospital as a cover. They stated that six “terrorists” were killed in the strike, implying a justification for the action.
Military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced an investigation into the protocols surrounding such strikes, particularly the decisions made before they occur.
The Israeli Foreign Press Association expressed shock and demanded explanations from the military, accusing them of deliberately targeting journalists. They criticized the ongoing pattern of killing journalists in Gaza without justification and noted the restrictions placed on international journalists trying to report from the area.
The Israeli government has effectively restricted international media access to Gaza, citing safety concerns, while allowing Israeli journalists to report alongside military operations. This has forced local journalists to bear the brunt of the violence, becoming the main source of news amid a dire humanitarian situation.
Israeli spokesperson General Effy Defflin maintained that the military had not intentionally targeted civilians, arguing that Hamas had used civilian locations as shields during the conflict.
Positioning himself amid this chaos, President Trump expressed mixed feelings—starting with concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, then voicing support for heightened Israeli military actions. He suggested that the violence might resolve soon but seemed hesitant about the ongoing military strategies.
Within Congress, opinions diverged sharply over Israel’s military actions, with some Democrats voicing opposition and most Republicans supporting Israel’s narrative. Senator Jeanne Shaheen explicitly condemned the bombing and journalist deaths, while Republican Representative Joe Wilson reaffirmed Israel’s claims regarding Hamas using civilians as shields.
Nissenbaum emphasized that U.S. pressure—or the absence of it—could significantly influence how Israel reacts to civilian casualties, including the deaths of journalists. His documentary highlighted troubling implications regarding the U.S. administration’s responses to these killings.
Weimers argued that the recent attacks have raised crucial questions about press safety and urged for greater international pressure, especially from the U.S. to hold Israel accountable.
This week, Israeli officials are expected to hear from Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley, who are calling for answers regarding the escalating violence against journalists in Gaza, which they describe as unprecedented.
Another unresolved case is the killing of Reuters photojournalist Isamu Abdallah, who was shot by Israeli fire in Lebanon in late 2023, which resulted in injuries to other journalists as well. The Israeli military stated this incident remains under review.
Weimers concluded by asserting that Israel has consistently acted with impunity when it comes to journalist fatalities, emphasizing the need for a change in such a troubling trend of behavior.
