Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills 20 including journalists, outlets confirm

An Israeli strike hit a hospital in southern Gaza, killing at least 20 people, including four journalists, media reports and health workers said.

The Associated Press reported one of its freelancers, Mariam Abu Daqa, was among those killed in the Nasser Hospital strike. Daqa was the news agency's stringer in the Strip since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began.

Al Jazeera confirmed that its journalist Mohammed Salama was also among the dead. Reuters reported its contractor, camera operator Hossam al-Masri was killed, while agency photographer Hatem Khaled was wounded. Moaz Abu Taha, a journalist who was erroneously reported as working for NBC, was also killed in the strike.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Abu Aziz, who reportedly worked for the Middle East Eye, has been listed among the dead in an updated death toll.

The hospital in Khan Younis was struck twice, according to reports.

Neither Israel’s military nor the prime minister’s office immediately responded to questions about the strike.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has been one of the bloodiest conflicts for media workers. At least 192 journalists have been killed in the 22-month war, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. 

In late July, four leading international news outlets expressed concern for local journalists working in Gaza, saying they fear they are at risk of starvation.

In a joint statement marking a rare move by international media giants, Agence France-Presse (AFP), Associated Press (AP), Reuters and BBC News said their teams working in Gaza face "the same dire circumstances as those they are covering."

"For many months, these independent journalists have been the world's eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza", the statement said.

International media rely on local reporters inside Gaza to provide coverage as Israel has prevented foreign journalists from entering the territory.

"We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families," the statement goes on to say.

"For many months, these independent journalists have been the world's eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering."

Israeli strikes and raids on hospitals are not uncommon. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claims its attacks target militants operating inside the medical facilities, using them as cover for their activities.

Further deaths were reported in Gaza on Monday, including three Palestinians, including a child, who were killed in a strike on a neighbourhood in Gaza City. 

Al-Awda Hospital reported that at least six people were killed and 15 were injured after Israeli troops opened fire near them while they were trying to reach an aid distribution point in central Gaza. The Israeli military did not release a comment at this time. 

Update: The article has been amended with further information on the journalists killed on Monday.