An Israeli military strike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza targeted a suspected Hamas surveillance camera, resulting in 20 fatalities. The attack, which involved two consecutive strikes, killed health workers and journalists, including a Reuters cameraman.
Initial Military Findings on Hospital Strike
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released initial findings from its investigation into the Monday incident. A military spokesperson stated the strikes were ordered because soldiers believed militants were using a camera on the hospital to observe Israeli forces. However, the account contradicts witness testimonies from the scene.
A senior Hamas official, Bassem Naim, denied the group operated a camera at the medical facility. He told The Associated Press that if the claim were true, “there are many means to neutralize this camera without targeting a health care facility with a tank shell.”
Details of the Double-Tap Strike
The first strike hit a top floor of a hospital building. It killed Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri during a live broadcast and one other individual. Following the initial explosion, health workers, journalists, and civilians rushed to the site to aid the wounded.
Subsequently, a second strike hit the same location, specifically striking an external staircase where rescuers had gathered. Hospital officials reported that 18 people died in this second blast. Video footage confirms the second explosion engulfing the area in smoke.
Victims and Conflicting Claims
The IDF asserted that six of the dead were militants but provided no immediate evidence. Among those identified were Jumaa al-Najjar, a healthcare worker at Nasser Hospital, and Imad al-Shaar, a driver for Gaza’s Civil Defense agency.
The Committee to Protect Journalists notes that 189 Palestinian media workers have been killed by Israeli fire since the war began. An IDF spokesperson stated the journalists in this strike were not suspected militants and were not targeted.
International Condemnation and Legal Questions
International leaders and human rights groups have condemned the attacks. A spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office stated, “The killing of journalists in Gaza should shock the world into action, demanding accountability and justice.”
International law strictly prohibits attacks on hospitals. While a facility can lose protection if used for military purposes, any strike must be proportionate and avoid civilian casualties. These consecutive strikes, known as “double taps,” have been widely condemned in conflicts like Ukraine and Syria.
Ongoing War Context and Investigation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the event as a “tragic mishap.” The IDF’s chief of staff acknowledged several “gaps” in the initial inquiry, including the type of ammunition used. The military stated the strike was launched from a tank and that an investigation into the chain of command is ongoing.
This incident occurs amidst ongoing hostilities and famine conditions in Gaza. The health ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas but is considered reliable by the UN, reports over 62,819 casualties since the war began.
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