Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed regret after an Israeli strike on Gaza's Nasser Hospital killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, and left several others injured. In his statement on X, the Prime Minister described the incident as a "tragic mishap," stressing that Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and civilians caught in the conflict.

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's ongoing war is directed at Hamas, not civilians. He confirmed that military authorities have launched a full investigation into the hospital strike, while reiterating Israel's goal of defeating Hamas and securing the safe return of hostages. The Prime Minister's Office also shared the same message across its official channels.

Reports from Palestinian health officials and international media confirmed the deaths of several well-known journalists. Among those killed were Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri, freelance Associated Press reporter Mariam Abu Dagga, Al Jazeera's Mohammed Salam, and NBC contributor Moaz Abu Taha. Another Reuters journalist, photographer Hatem Khaled, was critically injured in the attack.

Footage broadcast on al-Ghad TV captured civil defence workers and journalists in orange vests rushing to recover bodies before coming under fire themselves. In the final moments, rescuers were seen raising their hands in protection before being struck, highlighting the extreme risks faced by frontline media workers in Gaza.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 192 Palestinian journalists have been killed since October 2023, surpassing global totals from the last three years combined. Nearly one-third of all journalists killed worldwide in 2024 died in Gaza alone.

The CPJ condemned Israel for what it described as a "deliberate attempt to silence reporting from Gaza." Statistics show that journalist deaths in Gaza have already exceeded the combined tolls of both World Wars, the Vietnam War, and the Afghanistan conflict, raising serious international concerns about press freedom and accountability.

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