TEL AVIV, Israel — Following a series of deadly Israeli airstrikes on the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, concerns regarding military accountability and the treatment of journalists in conflict zones have intensified. The strikes, which killed 22 individuals, including five journalists, have drawn widespread condemnation and raised troubling questions about the rationale behind the military's actions.
According to Israeli military sources, the decision to target the hospital stemmed from suspicions that a camera on the hospital's roof was being used by Hamas for reconnaissance. However, subsequent evidence revealed that the camera was owned by a Reuters journalist who covered it for protection from the sun, a standard practice among journalists in the region. This journalist, Hussam al-Masri, was among the fatalities of the attack.
Witnesses noted that Israeli drones had been surveying the area just moments before the strike, raising further doubts about the legitimacy of the military's claims. Eyewitness accounts suggest that emergency workers and journalists were present in the area, prompting accusations of a ‘double-tap’ strike—tactics that intentionally target rescuers in the aftermath of an initial attack, potentially constituting a war crime.
Israeli officials have not provided any evidence supporting their claims about the affiliation of those killed. They acknowledged that the journalists who perished were not intended targets, stating, “Just because you see someone holding a camera, that does not mean they are a combatant.” However, the lack of clarity surrounding the military's operational decisions during the strikes has prompted significant scrutiny from media organizations and international human rights groups.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has expressed outrage over the repeated targeting of journalists in conflict zones. They emphasize that journalists are considered civilians under international law and must not be assaulted under any conditions. CEO Jody Ginsberg remarked, “To do so is a war crime.”
The fallout from the attack has mobilized calls for transparency and accountability within the Israeli military. As investigations into the airstrikes proceed, the implications of this incident on military policy and the protection of media personnel remain a critical concern for advocacy groups worldwide.
