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Journalists

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Hospital Kill at Least 20, Including Several Journalists

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Israeli forces struck the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza, killing at least 20 people, including several journalists, and wounding many others. The attack, which targeted the fourth floor of the hospital, sparked international condemnation and raised concerns about the safety of journalists in the war-torn region. The Gaza health ministry reported that a second strike occurred as ambulance crews arrived to retrieve the dead and wounded. Journalists from various news organizations, including the Associated Press, Al Jazeera, and Reuters, were among those killed. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that 184 Palestinian journalists had been killed in the war as of August 18, with most dying in Israeli air strikes or drone attacks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli strike on the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza killed at least 20 people, including several journalists.
  • The attack targeted the fourth floor of the hospital and was followed by a second strike as ambulance crews arrived to retrieve the dead and wounded.
  • Journalists from various news organizations, including the Associated Press, Al Jazeera, and Reuters, were among those killed.
  • The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that 184 Palestinian journalists had been killed in the war as of August 18, with most dying in Israeli air strikes or drone attacks.
  • The strike drew international condemnation, with Turkey denouncing it as an attack "on press freedom".
  • The chief of staff of the Israeli military said "an initial inquiry" into the killings would be launched "as soon as possible".

Statistics:

  • At least 20 people were killed in the Israeli strike on the Nasser Medical Complex.
  • 184 Palestinian journalists had been killed in the war as of August 18, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
  • 17 journalists have been killed during the war in Ukraine, according to the CPJ.
  • 404 journalists have been killed globally since 1992, with the CPJ reporting that 50% of these deaths were due to targeted killings.
  • The CPJ warned that Anas al-Sharif, a correspondent for Al Jazeera, was being smeared with unproven ties to Hamas to pave the way for his assassination.

Sources:

  • Health ministry in the Palestinian territory
  • Associated Press
  • Al Jazeera
  • Reuters
  • Foreign Press Association
  • Committee to Protect Journalists
  • Ankara Prime Ministry
  • Turkish Foreign Ministry

Separately, Turkey's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, called for Israel to be suspended from the UN General Assembly when it meets in September over its offensive in Gaza.

As per Turkey's foreign minister's statement, "an attack on a press worker is an attack on press freedom, it is an attack on democracy."

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