TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli attack on a Gaza Strip hospital on August 25 that killed 22 people, including five journalists, raises serious questions about Israel’s rationale for the strikes and their execution. Among those killed was Mariam Dagga, a journalist working for the Associated Press.
Israeli forces targeted the hospital, a known journalists’ gathering point, under claims that a camera on its roof was utilized by Hamas to monitor troop movements. The military cited 'suspicious behavior' without providing specific intelligence details, only mentioning that there was a towel on the camera, interpreted as an identifier avoidance attempt.
However, further investigations by reporters indicate that the camera belonged to a Reuters journalist, Hussam al-Masri, who routinely covered his equipment to protect it from harsh environmental conditions. Al-Masri was also killed in the initial strike.
Following the first strike, witnesses claim Israeli forces executed multiple hits on the same position, even after medical and emergency teams arrived to assist the wounded, raising accusations of a 'double-tap' strike—an internationally criticized tactic that potentially constitutes a war crime.
Reports reveal that soldiers utilized high-explosive tank shells rather than more precise munitions that could have resulted in fewer casualties. In total, the hospital was struck four times without warning.
Despite investigation claims by the Israeli military, criticisms remain about their transparency and accountability regarding such incidents. Witnesses assert the area was continuously observed by drones, raising further doubts about the justification for the strikes.
The attack has ignited widespread outrage globally, particularly among journalists, as it poses significant risks to the safety of media personnel working in conflict zones. The Committee to Protect Journalists emphasizes that the targeting of civilians, particularly journalists, is a severe violation of international law.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attack as a 'tragic mistake,' yet failed to issue a formal apology. In the wake of continuing hostilities in Gaza, these strikes expose the urgent need for an independent evaluation of military tactics in densely populated areas.
Israeli forces targeted the hospital, a known journalists’ gathering point, under claims that a camera on its roof was utilized by Hamas to monitor troop movements. The military cited 'suspicious behavior' without providing specific intelligence details, only mentioning that there was a towel on the camera, interpreted as an identifier avoidance attempt.
However, further investigations by reporters indicate that the camera belonged to a Reuters journalist, Hussam al-Masri, who routinely covered his equipment to protect it from harsh environmental conditions. Al-Masri was also killed in the initial strike.
Following the first strike, witnesses claim Israeli forces executed multiple hits on the same position, even after medical and emergency teams arrived to assist the wounded, raising accusations of a 'double-tap' strike—an internationally criticized tactic that potentially constitutes a war crime.
Reports reveal that soldiers utilized high-explosive tank shells rather than more precise munitions that could have resulted in fewer casualties. In total, the hospital was struck four times without warning.
Despite investigation claims by the Israeli military, criticisms remain about their transparency and accountability regarding such incidents. Witnesses assert the area was continuously observed by drones, raising further doubts about the justification for the strikes.
The attack has ignited widespread outrage globally, particularly among journalists, as it poses significant risks to the safety of media personnel working in conflict zones. The Committee to Protect Journalists emphasizes that the targeting of civilians, particularly journalists, is a severe violation of international law.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attack as a 'tragic mistake,' yet failed to issue a formal apology. In the wake of continuing hostilities in Gaza, these strikes expose the urgent need for an independent evaluation of military tactics in densely populated areas.
