The Israeli military has stated that its recent strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital was aimed at a Hamas surveillance camera, but the claim has drawn criticism as no evidence has been presented to support it. The attack left at least 20 people dead, including medical staff, civilians, and five journalists.
The Incident
Witnesses reported two strikes on the hospital in Khan Younis. The first blast was followed by a second that struck rescuers, doctors, and journalists rushing to the scene. Among those killed were reporters working for international outlets such as Reuters, Associated Press, Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye.
Israeli officials maintain that the attack was directed at Hamas operatives allegedly using the hospital grounds for intelligence gathering. According to their statement, militants had placed a surveillance device near the facility to track Israeli troop movements.
Questions Over Military Decisions
Reports suggest that while initial approval was given for a drone strike, ground forces may have escalated the attack with tank fire—possibly without proper authorization. This raises questions about how decisions were made in real time and whether field commanders exceeded their directives.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a “tragic mishap” and confirmed that an internal inquiry is underway. The military has since expanded its probe to review the chain of command, weaponry used, and overall operational procedures.
International Outcry
The United Nations has condemned the strike and urged for a transparent, impartial investigation. Officials emphasized that hospitals and medical staff are protected under international law, and that attacks on journalists further threaten press freedom.
Media watchdogs and journalist associations echoed these concerns, highlighting that reporters frequently film from stairwells and rooftops of hospitals—areas that should not be considered legitimate targets.
Humanitarian Impact
Nasser Hospital was already under immense strain before the attack, serving as the largest remaining medical facility in southern Gaza. The destruction and loss of staff have further weakened healthcare access for thousands of civilians.
Humanitarian groups stress that, under international law, medical facilities cannot be targeted unless they are directly used for military operations. While Israel accuses Hamas of embedding within civilian infrastructure, these allegations remain unverified and heavily disputed.
What Lies Ahead
The Israeli military’s internal probe is expected to continue in the coming weeks, but skepticism remains over whether findings will lead to accountability. Calls for international investigations are growing, as pressure mounts for justice for the victims.
For Gaza’s civilians, the strike represents another devastating blow amid a war that has already left its healthcare system on the brink of collapse.
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