In a devastating attack early on Monday, an Israeli airstrike hit a media tent outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, killing two people, including a local reporter, and injuring six other journalists. Medics confirmed the fatalities, including Yousef al-Faqawi, a reporter for the Palestine Today news website. The strike also wounded six other journalists, further escalating tensions in the region.
According to the Israeli military, the strike was aimed at Hassan Eslaiah, whom they allege was a Hamas militant disguised as a journalist. Eslaiah was reportedly involved in the October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the ongoing war. Eslaiah had occasionally contributed images to The Associated Press (AP) and other outlets but had not worked with AP in over a year.
The media tent was set ablaze by the strike, leading to widespread condemnation of targeting journalists, a practice that has increasingly been reported throughout the conflict. The attack follows waves of Israeli strikes across Gaza as the military escalates its offensive after the breakdown of a ceasefire with Hamas.
The Israeli military’s action in Gaza continues to spark debate over the targeting of civilian infrastructure and press freedom. While Israel claims to focus on militant targets, the death of journalists and civilians continues to raise concerns over the legality and morality of such strikes.
In a separate incident, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah also came under attack, injuring three people. Hospitals in Gaza, where thousands have sought refuge from the violence, have increasingly been caught in the crossfire of the ongoing military operations.
The broader conflict has resulted in widespread devastation in Gaza. With over 50,000 Palestinians reported killed, including a significant number of women and children, and many thousands displaced, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. As Israel steps up military pressure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated the country’s stance on continuing the offensive until Hamas meets specific conditions, including the release of Israeli hostages.
Amid this, Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss potential solutions for Gaza, including a controversial proposal for resettling Gaza’s population in other countries, a plan met with significant opposition from Palestinians and human rights experts.
The ongoing attacks, including the strike on the media tent, highlight the growing risks for journalists reporting from the region and the mounting pressure on both sides to reach a resolution to the war.
