Israeli Military's "Double Tap" Strike Kills Five Journalists in Gaza

Strategic Insights -

As the conflict between Israel and Gaza rages on, an Al Jazeera journalist has spoken out about the treatment of Palestinian reporters by Western news agencies, labeling them as "robots" who are forgotten and overlooked even in times of crisis. Hind Khoudary, a seasoned journalist who has been documenting Israel's atrocities for nearly two years, expressed her outrage and frustration at the lack of recognition and protection afforded to Palestinian journalists, who have been risking their lives for 23 months now.

Key Takeaways:

  • Five journalists were killed in a "double tap" strike by the Israeli military at the al-Nasser Medical Centre in Gaza, including Hossam al-Masri, a freelance photographer for Reuters, Mariam Abu Daqqa, a freelance journalist for The Independent and the Associated Press (AP), Moaz Abu Taha, a correspondent for NBC, Mohamad Salama, a press photographer for Al Jazeera, and Ahmed Abu Aziz, a freelance journalist for Middle East Eye and Diwan FM.
  • None of the killed journalists' employers mentioned them in headlines, instead describing them as "contractors" or "freelancers," despite working for them for months.
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the killings, calling for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to "end this massacre of journalists" and to ensure the application of UN Resolution 2222, which protects journalists in times of conflict.
  • The Israeli military has used a "suicide drone" to carry out targeted attacks on journalists, including the strike on the live broadcast post that killed Hossam al-Masri.
  • Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary reported that Palestinian journalists have been risking their lives for 23 months now, and after they are killed, they are not even mentioned in headlines.
  • The killing of the six journalists in two days follows the precedent of the murder of Khaled al-Madhoun on Saturday, and brings the total number of journalists killed in Gaza to six in two days and 12 in the past month.

Statistics:

  • Six journalists were killed in two days in Gaza.
  • All the journalists were deliberately targeted.
  • More than 200 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza over the past two years.
  • The total number of journalists killed in Gaza in the past month is 12.
  • 23 months have passed since Palestinian journalists started risking their lives to cover the conflict.

Sources:

  • [1] Al Jazeera, "Hind Khoudary: 'Palestinian journalists are treated like robots'", Al Jazeera, 26 August 2025.
  • [2] Reporters Without Borders (RSF), "RSF 'fiercely condemns' killings of six journalists in Gaza", Reporters Without Borders, 26 August 2025.
  • [3] Reuters, "Israel kills five journalists in Gaza 'double tap' strike", Reuters, 25 August 2025.
  • [4] NBC News, "5 journalists killed in Gaza as Israel launches airstrikes", NBC News, 25 August 2025.
  • [5] Al Jazeera, "RSF calls for emergency UN Security Council meeting after killings of journalists in Gaza", Al Jazeera, 26 August 2025.