The international community has expressed widespread outrage following an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on August 25, 2025, which claimed the lives of five journalists and at least 20 other individuals. The attack, described as a “double-tap” strike—where a second missile hit minutes after the first—has drawn condemnation from governments, media organizations, and human rights groups worldwide.
India termed the killings “shocking and deeply regrettable.” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India has always condemned the loss of civilian lives in conflict zones and noted that Israeli authorities had initiated an investigation into the incident. India’s reaction reflects broader concern for the safety of journalists and civilians amid escalating hostilities.
The United Nations called for accountability, urging Israel to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation. UN officials underscored the need for all parties in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of journalists reporting from conflict zones. The UN highlighted Israel’s previous lapses in resolving similar incidents, stressing that consistent enforcement of protections is vital.
The European Union also expressed strong concern, with several senior diplomats urging EU member states to take collective measures to uphold international law and protect civilian and media personnel in conflict areas. Human rights organizations have stressed the importance of safeguarding journalists and holding perpetrators accountable for attacks on media workers.
Media organizations worldwide condemned the strike as an assault on press freedom. The Committee to Protect Journalists and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate described the killings as a deliberate attack on journalists, highlighting the risks faced by media personnel in conflict zones. Al Jazeera, one of the affected outlets, denounced the attack, calling it an attempt to silence reporting from Gaza.
The journalists killed in the Nasser Hospital strike were Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters cameraman; Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelance journalist for the Associated Press; Mohammed Salama, an Al Jazeera cameraman; Moaz Abu Taha, a freelance photographer; and Ahmed Abu Aziz, a correspondent for Middle East Eye and Quds News Network. The attack also claimed the lives of medical staff, a paramedic, and other civilians, while approximately 50 people were injured.
This incident is part of a broader, alarming pattern in which journalists covering the Israel-Hamas conflict face extreme dangers. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 192 journalists have been killed in Gaza over the 22-month conflict, making it one of the deadliest situations for media personnel worldwide. Comparatively, 18 journalists have been killed in the war in Ukraine during the same period, underscoring the extraordinary risks in Gaza.
International media and advocacy organizations have called for urgent measures to protect journalists and civilian infrastructure in Gaza. They stress that attacks on hospitals, media offices, and other non-combatant targets violate international humanitarian law and undermine the global commitment to press freedom.
The attack on Nasser Hospital has intensified scrutiny on Israel’s military operations in Gaza, with global leaders, human rights groups, and media organizations urging restraint and accountability. The incident has highlighted the precarious situation of journalists reporting from active conflict zones and the urgent need for mechanisms to protect them.
As investigations proceed, the international community continues to demand justice for the victims and increased measures to safeguard journalists working under life-threatening conditions. The deaths of Hussam al-Masri, Mariam Abu Dagga, Mohammed Salama, Moaz Abu Taha, and Ahmed Abu Aziz serve as a stark reminder of the perils faced by journalists and the critical importance of protecting those who risk their lives to report the truth.
Also Read: Monsoon Chaos Unfolds Across Jammu & Kashmir and Beyond
