5 More Journalists Killed in Israeli War on Gaza
The Monday attack also wounded several others, health authorities and eyewitnesses said.
The Israeli regime's army shelled the top floor of the emergency building, known as the “Al-Yassin” floor, according to an Anadolu reporter.
Medical sources said that the death toll at Nasser Medical Complex rose from eight to 20 after 12 more victims were killed.
The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed that 20 Palestinians, including patients, health workers, civil defense, press crews, were killed and several others injured in the attack.
The ministry said the Israeli army hit the fourth floor of one of the complex’s buildings with two airstrikes, noting that the second strike occurred as rescue teams arrived to evacuate the wounded and recover the dead.
Official Palestine TV reported that among the deceased was its cameraman Hussam al-Masri, while Qatari channel Al Jazeera confirmed that its photographer Mohammad Salama was also killed.
A medical source cited by Anadolu also confirmed the death of photojournalist Mariam Abu Dagga.
Photojournalist Moaz Abu Taha was also killed in the Israeli strike targeting the hospital.
Medical sources also confirmed that Ahmed Abu Aziz, a freelance reporter with Tunisian and Moroccan news sites, died of injuries he sustained in the Israeli strike.
The Palestinian Civil Defense said in a statement that a fire engine driver was killed during the strike and that seven others from his team were injured while attempting to rescue victims and recover bodies.
The new deaths brought the number of journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023 to 245, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.
The deadly attack on Palestinian journalists drew a wave of condemnation from media organizations.
The Associated Press confirmed that Abu Dagga, 33, a freelance journalist who had been reporting for AP since the start of the Gaza war, was among those killed.
Abu Dagga had covered the humanitarian crisis at Nasser Hospital, reporting on doctors struggling to save children suffering from severe malnutrition despite having no prior health conditions, it said.
The London-based Independent Arabia also mourned Abu Dagga, calling her “an example of courage and dedication in conveying the truth.”
Reuters also confirmed that two of its contractors were targeted in the Israeli strike: cameraman al-Masri, who was killed in the attack, and photographer Hatem Khaled, who was wounded.
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Israel has killed nearly 62,700 Palestinians in a brutal assault in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former war minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
Source: Anadolu Agency
