An Israeli strike on southern Gaza’s largest hospital killed at least 19 people on Monday, including four journalists, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The victims were on the fourth floor of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis when a missile hit, followed moments later by another in the same spot as rescue crews arrived, said Zaher al-Waheid, head of the ministry’s records department.
The hospital, which has been operating under severe shortages of staff and supplies throughout 22 months of war, was thrown into further chaos by the attack. Among those killed was 33-year-old Mariam Dagga, a visual journalist who had worked as a freelancer for The Associated Press since the start of the conflict, recently documenting doctors’ struggles to save children suffering from starvation. Al Jazeera confirmed that its reporter Mohammed Salam also died in the strike, while Reuters said its cameraman contractor Hussam al-Masri was among the dead. The identity of the fourth journalist has not yet been confirmed.
The Israeli military acknowledged carrying out a strike in the area but said it did not intentionally target journalists. In a statement, the army said it “regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals” and confirmed that the chief of the general staff has ordered an investigation into the incident.
Nasser Hospital has endured repeated bombardments and raids since the war began, serving as the main medical centre in southern Gaza as fighting and famine conditions worsen. Monday’s strike marked one of the deadliest incidents at the facility since the start of the conflict.