Israeli Airstrike on Gaza Hospital Kills at Least 19, Including Five Journalists

At least 19 people, including five journalists, were killed on Monday in an Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza.

According to Palestinian sources, the hospital reported that the victims were struck while on the fourth floor of the facility in Khan Younis.

Local Palestinian media added that emergency workers were also among the dead.

The Associated Press (AP) confirmed that one of its freelance contributors, Mariam Dagga, was among those killed. Reuters also reported that one of its freelance contributors was killed, while another freelance photographer working for the agency was injured.

The Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera said one of its cameramen was among the journalists killed. It was initially unclear which outlet the fourth journalist worked for.

According to sources in Gaza, the fifth journalist was a freelance contributor for several Arab media outlets.

Eyewitnesses said a second strike followed shortly after paramedics and civil defence workers had rushed to the scene. Video footage of the bloody incident later circulated on social media.

The broadcaster al-Ghad also published a video showing a group of people being hit, reportedly during the second attack.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military, in a statement, confirmed that troops had carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and said an inquiry into the incident had been ordered.

”The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such.

”The IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of troops,” it said.