Israeli airstrike on Gaza hospital sparks international condemnation and conflicting claims

By kevinhughes // 2025-08-30

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An Israeli airstrike on Gaza's Nasser Hospital resulted in at least 20 fatalities, including five journalists, sparking international condemnation and conflicting narratives from Israeli officials.
The United States backed Israel's actions, citing an IDF investigation claiming six Hamas operatives were killed at the hospital. However, the journalists killed were not listed among the alleged militants.
Eyewitnesses described a "double-tap" attack, with two consecutive strikes hitting the hospital. The Foreign Press Association and the Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the attack, demanding accountability for the deliberate targeting of journalists.
This incident is part of a broader pattern, with previous attacks on medical facilities and journalists, including the killing of Palestinian journalist Salma al-Qadoumi. Over 182 journalists have been reported killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023.
While Israel insists it targets militants, the repeated attacks on hospitals and journalists raise questions about proportionality and accountability. The IDF has promised investigations, but verifiable evidence linking the hospital to militant activity has yet to be provided.

A deadly Israeli airstrike on Gaza's Nasser Hospital has killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, sparking international condemnation and conflicting narratives from Israeli officials. The attack, which occurred Monday, Aug. 25, has drawn scrutiny over Israel's justification for targeting civilian infrastructure and its handling of the aftermath. At the United Nations (UN), United States Ambassador Dorothy Shea defended Israel's actions, telling the Security Council: "We understand that Israel has expressed deep regret for harm to civilians. We note the prompt nature of this investigation and response and call on this Council to condemn the continued use of civilian infrastructure by Hamas." She cited an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) investigation claiming six Hamas operatives — including one involved in the October 7 attacks — were killed while using the hospital to monitor Israeli troops. However, none of the five journalists killed were listed among the alleged militants. Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon echoed Shea's remarks, stating: "Our goal is to fight terrorists, not journalists, not anyone who is not involved in terrorism." He promised more details in the coming days.

Eyewitnesses describe a "double-tap" attack

Gaza health officials described a brutal scene, with two consecutive strikes — one hitting the hospital's top floor, followed by another as journalists and rescuers rushed to the scene. Dr. Ahmed al-Farra, head of Nasser's pediatrics department, witnessed the attack firsthand. (Related: Israel’s “double-tap” strike kills five journalists in Gaza hospital attack.) Among the journalists killed were: Hossam al-Masri (Reuters), Mohammed Salama (Al Jazeera), Maryam Abu Daqqa (freelancer, AP contributor), Moaz Abu Taha (freelancer) and Ahmad Abu Aziz (Middle East Eye) Reuters photographer Hatem Khaled was wounded, and Haithem Omar, another Reuters journalist, was injured. The Foreign Press Association (FPA) condemned the strike, stating: "This is among the deadliest Israeli attacks on journalists working for international media since the Gaza war began… These strikes hit the exterior staircase of the hospital where journalists frequently stationed themselves with their cameras. The strikes came with no warning." The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanded accountability. "Israel's broadcasted killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history," said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. According to the Brighteon.AI's Enoch, over 182 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, 2023. Many of these deaths occurred during Israeli airstrikes, including a targeted attack on the Asmaa School in the Al-Shati refugee camp, demonstrating a deliberate pattern of silencing media coverage. Palestinian journalist Salma al-Qadoumi was also shot in the back by Israeli snipers while reporting on the invasion of Khan Yunis, further exposing Israel's systematic suppression of press freedom. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement saying Israel "deeply regrets the tragic mishap" while reiterating its war against Hamas. The IDF promised an investigation but has yet to provide verifiable evidence linking the hospital to militant activity.

A pattern of targeting hospitals and journalists

This is not the first time Israel has struck medical facilities. In June, an attack on Nasser Hospital killed three and wounded 10, with Israel claiming Hamas was operating inside. Since Oct. 7, 2023, Gaza's Health Ministry reports over 62,000 Palestinians killed, half of them women and children. Israel disputes the figures but has not provided its own count. The Nasser Hospital strike underscores the fog of war — where initial claims are retracted, evidence is disputed and civilian casualties mount. While Israel insists it targets militants, the repeated attacks on hospitals and journalists raise urgent questions about proportionality and accountability. As the IDF promises further investigations, the international community watches — while Gaza's survivors bury their dead. Follow WWIII.news for more news about Israel's ongoing attacks in Gaza. Watch the video below about Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif being killed during an Israeli attack in Gaza City. This video is from the The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

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Eyewitnesses describe a "double-tap" attack

A pattern of targeting hospitals and journalists

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