A double Israeli attack on Nasser Hospital in Gaza on August 25 claimed the lives of five journalists, including Reuters correspondent Hussam Al-Masri and Al Jazeera operator Mohammed Salama. Their final images, captured moments before their deaths, have been released by international media.
Double Israeli Attack on Nasser Hospital in Gaza
An Israeli double attack on Nasser Hospital in the Gaza Strip on Monday, August 25, killed several journalists and medical workers. The first strike hit the location where a Reuters camera operator and reporter were working, and minutes later, Israeli forces fired a second strike at the same spot, where other journalists and rescuers had gathered to document the initial attack. Some of them died in the second strike.
Five Journalists Among the Victims
At least 20 people were killed in the attacks, five of whom were journalists. They include Hussam Al-Masri, a Reuters correspondent; Mohammed Salama, Al Jazeera’s camera operator; Mariam Abu Dagga, an independent photojournalist working with Independent Arabia and Associated Press; Ahmed Abu Aziz, a video journalist for Quds Feed; and Moaz Abu Taha, another independent video journalist.
Last Photos of Killed Journalists
International media outlets where the journalists worked have published their last photographs taken before their deaths. Associated Press shared images taken by Mariam Dagga in recent weeks, including scenes from the operating Nasser Hospital, children suffering from severe malnutrition, and the burial of a 13-year-old boy killed in an Israeli airstrike. The victim’s family also released a photo of her bloodstained and dust-covered camera, which she wore at the time of her death.
Aftermath of the First Attack
Following the first strike, which killed Al-Masri and Mariam Dagga, other journalists on-site captured the aftermath. In the photo below, a man holds the vest of the deceased journalist. The image was taken by reporter Hatem Khaled, who was later wounded when Israeli forces repeatedly targeted the same location.
Worst Conflict for Journalists in Modern History
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the Israeli attack and called on the global community to hold Israel accountable for “repeated unlawful attacks on media workers.” Regional director Sara Qudah stated, “Israel continues to kill journalists in Gaza before the eyes of the world, which takes no decisive action despite these unprecedented attacks in modern media history.”
According to CPJ, at least 197 journalists and media workers have been killed during the war, with 189 of them Palestinian journalists killed by Israel in Gaza. A Palestinian media organization reported the deaths of at least 240 journalists. The CPJ noted this is the worst conflict for journalists in modern history, as 200–240 media workers have been killed in Gaza in just 2.5 years, compared to 242 journalists killed during the Iraq War from 2003 to 2011.
Israel’s Military Investigation and Response
Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered an investigation into the attack. In a statement, the military said it “regrets any harm caused to civilians” and clarified that journalists are not targets of its strikes. The army added it “strives to minimize harm to civilians as much as possible while ensuring the safety of Israeli soldiers.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a “tragic mistake.”
Source: Gazeta, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/swiat/7, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wojsko#anchorLink, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/0, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/irak#anchorLink
