Israeli Strikes Kill 6 Journalists in Gaza

Israeli Strikes Kill 6 Journalists in Gaza

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | August 27, 2025

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — A wave of international condemnation has erupted following Israeli military strikes in Gaza that killed six Palestinian journalists, including a cameraman working for Al Jazeera.

The attacks, which targeted Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, have ignited accusations of deliberate targeting and attempts to silence reporting on the ongoing conflict.

On Monday, five journalists, including Al Jazeera photographer Mohammad Salama, were killed in what witnesses described as a “double-tap” strike on Nasser Hospital, a major medical facility in southern Gaza.

A “double-tap” strike involves an initial missile strike followed by a second, often targeting rescue workers and journalists arriving at the scene.

Later that day, another journalist was killed in a separate incident in Khan Younis, bringing the total death toll to six.

Al Jazeera Media Network has accused Israel of “assassinating journalists as part of a systematic campaign to silence the truth,” a charge denied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the hospital attack a “tragic mishap.”

He said that Israel “values” the work of journalists and that a “thorough investigation” is underway.

However, critics point to a history of Israeli investigations rarely leading to accountability for its forces’ actions.

The attacks come amid an intensified Israeli offensive in Gaza City, despite warnings of a looming famine affecting the enclave’s 2.3 million residents.

The situation has sparked a chorus of international outrage, with many organizations and governments calling for immediate investigations and accountability.

Global Condemnation

Al Jazeera Media Network condemned the attacks as “a clear intent to bury the truth” and a violation of international norms, “amounting to war crimes.”

They highlighted the network’s commitment to covering the “Israeli genocide in Gaza” despite restrictions on international media access.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has denounced the killings as a “war crime” and an “assault on press freedom.”

Qatar called for “urgent and decisive international action” to protect journalists and ensure accountability, emphasizing the need for a “just and sustainable peace” based on the 1967 borders.

Türkiye described the strikes as “another war crime,” accusing Israel of attempting to prevent the truth from being revealed through systematic attacks on journalists.

Iran, on the other hand, labeled the attacks a “barbaric war crime” and called for the accountability of the US and other Israeli allies for their complicity.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the attacks as violations of international humanitarian law and called for international intervention.

United Kingdom Foreign Minister David Lammy expressed horror and called for the protection of civilians, healthcare workers, and journalists, urging an immediate ceasefire.

Spain, Germany, and France issued strong condemnations, with Spain calling the attacks a “flagrant and unacceptable violation of international humanitarian law.”

Germany demanded an investigation and immediate access for independent foreign media.

French President Emmanuel Macron declared that “civilians and journalists must be protected under all circumstances.”

Canada expressed horror and stated that Israel has an obligation to protect civilians.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the attacks and called for international accountability for Israel’s “continued unlawful attacks on the press.”

The Foreign Press Association demanded an immediate explanation from the Israeli army and called on Israel to “halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists.”

The escalating violence against journalists in Gaza has raised serious concerns about press freedom and the ability of the media to report on the conflict. The international community is increasingly calling for independent investigations and accountability to ensure the protection of journalists and prevent future attacks.