New Delhi: A minimum of 15 individuals, together with 4 journalists, have been killed on Monday following an Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, based on Palestinian well being officers. The assault marks one more lethal incident in what has develop into probably the most perilous conflicts for media professionals in latest historical past.
Among the many journalists killed was Mariam Dagga, 33, a freelancer who had been reporting for the Related Press (AP) and different information shops because the begin of the battle. Dagga had lined the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza, together with the determined efforts by docs at Nasser Hospital to save lots of youngsters who have been ravenous regardless of having no pre-existing well being situations.
Al Jazeera confirmed that its journalist Mohammed Salam was amongst these killed within the strike. Reuters reported the deaths of its contractor, Hussam al-Masri, and stated one other contractor, photographer Hatem Khaled, was wounded.
In keeping with the Committee to Shield Journalists (CPJ), 192 journalists have been killed in Gaza because the battle started 22 months in the past, making it the deadliest battle for media staff in latest reminiscence. In distinction, 18 journalists have been killed within the ongoing Russia-Ukraine battle. Gaza’s Authorities Media Workplace locations the toll even larger, claiming a minimum of 244 journalists and media staff have died as a result of Israeli assaults since October 2023.
Each the Israeli Prime Minister’s Workplace and the Israeli army declined to touch upon Monday’s hospital strike.
The assault got here as Israel ramps up army operations in Gaza Metropolis. Final week, the Israeli army started preparatory steps for a floor offensive aimed toward seizing full management of the town. Tens of 1000’s of reservists have been mobilised as a part of the marketing campaign, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says is aimed toward dismantling Hamas’s operational infrastructure following the group’s preliminary assault on Israel in October 2023.
Regardless of mounting worldwide stress to rethink the offensive as a result of its humanitarian toll, the Israeli authorities has solid forward. Netanyahu’s administration has confronted criticism from each international allies and regional adversaries for its hardline stance and continued escalation in Gaza.
Hamas, in an announcement posted on Telegram, accused Netanyahu of derailing ceasefire negotiations and described Israel’s army marketing campaign as a “brutal battle in opposition to harmless civilians in Gaza Metropolis.”
The Israeli safety cupboard, underneath Netanyahu’s management, has authorised the enlargement of operations in Gaza, with the acknowledged intention of taking full management of Gaza Metropolis, a significant strategic stronghold within the ongoing battle.