2LT International News

GAZA – In two separate attacks, the Israeli army has killed six more journalists. In the first attack, 5 journalists, including one from Reuters, 1 from Al Jazerra, and a freelance reporter with The Associated Press were killed when the army ordered tanks to open fire on their base at Nasser Hospital, in the center of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.

In a tap-tap strike, the army surprisingly admitted in a statement that it had targeted the reporters, and the first responders. Twenty-one people including journalists, and health workers were killed in the attacks. As other journalists and health workers rushed to help after the first strike, the second shell hit. Nasser Hospital Director Atef al-Hout told Al-Arabiya TV that, aside from the twenty-one deaths, more than 50 people were wounded in the double-tap attacks.

The IDF said they noticed a camera on the roof of the hospital and assumed it was being used by a member of Hamas, photographing Israeli military activities. It was a Reuters photographer. He and four fellow reporters are now dead. The vantage point used by the Reuters journalist was consistently used by reporters to survey the carnage and destruction taking place in Khan Younis.

UK foreign secretary, David Lammy. said he was “horrified by the attack. “Horrified by Israel’s attack on Nasser hospital. Civilians, healthcare workers and journalists must be protected. We need an immediate ceasefire,” he posted on X.

U.S. President Donald Trump told a press conference, “I’m not happy about it.” 

In a separate incident, Hassan Douhan, a correspondent for Al-Hayat Al-Jadida publication was shot dead by the Israeli army in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis. 

In a touch of irony, Douhan had just posted a tribute to the five journalists killed earlier at Nasser Hospital on his Facebook page. 

“The martyrs of righteousness and conveying the truth, the word and the picture,” he posted. “The martyrs of national duty and journalism. To the eternal heavens, moons of the homeland and professional colleagues.”

A short time later the Israeli army shot and killed him.

Israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a rare statement expressed regret over the ‘mishap’ at Nasser Hospital, insisting Israel values the work of journalists.

“Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza,” Mr Netanyau’s office said in Monday’ statement. 

“Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation.”

“Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home,” the statement said.