AP: Israeli Strike on Gaza Hospital Killed Reuters Journalist, Not Hamas Operative
Evidence shows the camera cited by the Israeli military as belonging to Hamas was in fact the property of Reuters video journalist Hussam al-Masri, who was killed with 21 others.
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM - A new investigation by the Associated Press has revealed that the Israeli military’s justification for striking Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza last month was based on false claims.
The military claimed that a camera on the hospital’s roof was being used by Hamas to monitor Israeli forces. In reality, the camera belonged to Reuters video journalist Hussam al-Masri, who was killed in the attack along with 21 others, including four journalists and several rescue workers.
Al-Masri, known for covering his equipment with a white cloth to shield it from Gaza’s sun and dust, had been broadcasting live from the hospital’s stairwell almost daily in the weeks before the strike. The AP confirmed that its journalists’ presence had been repeatedly communicated to the Israeli military, and that the position was a known gathering point for journalists.
Second Strike Increased Casualties
Witnesses reported that Israeli forces had drones monitoring the site, including roughly 40 minutes before the attack—enough time to identify the journalists.
Shortly after the initial strike on the hospital staircase, Israeli forces shelled the area again as medical teams and additional journalists arrived.
According to the AP, the attack appeared to involve high-explosive shells, not precision munitions, significantly increasing casualties.
The investigation highlights a troubling pattern in which journalists in Gaza are killed despite clear identification and communication of their positions, raising serious concerns over the safety of media workers in conflict zones. (PW)