An Israeli airstrike on Al-Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, killed at least 20 people, including five journalists working for international news agencies such as Reuters, the Associated Press, and Al Jazeera, sparking widespread global condemnation from world leaders and press organizations. Palestinian medical sources reported that the strike, described as a double attack, targeted the hospital’s fourth floor where journalists, medical staff, and rescue teams were killed. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the attack, calling on the international community to hold Israel accountable for its illegal attacks on journalists, noting about 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate described the incident as an ‘open war’ on free media, accusing Israel of trying to silence journalists to prevent them from exposing its crimes.

US President Donald Trump expressed his displeasure, saying, ‘I am not happy about this, we must end this nightmare,’ while French President Emmanuel Macron called the attack ‘unbearable,’ emphasizing the need to protect journalists and civilians. The United Nations, through spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, demanded a swift and impartial investigation, stressing that journalists and medical workers must be protected. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed shock and called for global action to achieve justice. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated his call to stop attacks on health facilities, while UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini described silencing journalists as ‘shocking’ and called for opening crossings and protecting humanitarian workers. US Senator Jeanne Shaheen expressed outrage over the killing of journalists, calling for an immediate end to violence.

Jérôme Grimaud from Doctors Without Borders stated that targeting journalists and health workers is part of a ‘genocidal campaign’ that defies international law. The Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem demanded an immediate explanation from the Israeli army, describing the targeting of journalists as a ‘vile practice’ that must stop.