Israel struck Gaza’s Nasser Hospital with two missiles, killing at least 20 people including five journalists, according to local health workers.

At a Glance

• A missile hit the top floor of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
• A second missile struck minutes later as journalists and rescuers rushed to the site.
• At least 20 people were killed, including five journalists.
• The Associated Press confirmed one of its visual journalists, Mariam Dagga, was among the dead.
• Al Jazeera and Reuters also reported losing staff and freelancers in the incident.

Double Strike at Nasser Hospital

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the largest medical center in southern Gaza, was struck twice in quick succession on Monday. According to health officials, the first missile hit a top floor of the building. Within minutes, as journalists and rescue workers in orange vests attempted to climb an external staircase to document and assist, a second missile struck the same area.

Dr. Ahmed al-Farra, head of the hospital’s pediatrics department, confirmed that the consecutive strikes left at least 20 people dead. The majority of casualties included journalists, hospital staff, and emergency responders who had arrived after the first explosion.

Watch now: Journalists among 20 killed in Israeli strike on Gaza hospital · YouTube

Journalists Among the Dead

The incident drew immediate attention due to the number of media workers killed in the blast. Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist affiliated with the Associated Press, was confirmed dead. Dagga had frequently reported from the hospital, including a recent story about doctors attempting to save malnourished children.

Both Al Jazeera and Reuters confirmed that their own journalists and freelancers were among the dead. This brings the total to at least five members of the press killed in a single strike, adding to the already high toll of media workers in the Gaza conflict. According to press freedom groups, dozens of journalists have been killed since the conflict escalated in October, with Gaza ranking among the most dangerous regions in the world for media coverage.

Hospitals in the Crosshairs

Hospitals in Gaza have increasingly become central flashpoints in the ongoing conflict. Nasser Hospital, already overwhelmed by thousands of displaced civilians seeking shelter, has struggled to maintain operations amid fuel shortages, supply constraints, and repeated damage from fighting. International humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that strikes on medical facilities endanger not only patients but also civilians taking refuge there.

The targeting of areas near hospitals has prompted calls from medical and human rights groups for independent investigations. Strikes on hospitals remain a highly controversial issue under international humanitarian law, which offers special protections to medical facilities unless they are being used for military purposes. Israeli officials have not issued a formal comment on the latest incident at Nasser Hospital.

The Growing Toll

The latest strike adds another layer of complexity to the conflict, drawing renewed scrutiny of the risks faced by journalists and medical workers in Gaza. The deaths of reporters from multiple major international outlets underscore the widespread dangers confronting those documenting the war.

Nasser Hospital, once a hub for care in the south of the enclave, is now another site of tragedy. For residents of Khan Younis, the attack highlighted the narrowing space for safety and the heavy cost borne by civilians, aid workers, and the press.

Sources

Associated Press
Reuters
Al Jazeera
Bloomberg
The Guardian