Israeli Airstrikes Near Gaza Hospitals Kill Journalist, Civilians Amid Escalating Crisis
Israeli airstrikes targeted areas near two major hospitals in Gaza overnight, killing at least two people—including Palestinian journalist Yousef al-Faqawi—and wounding nine others, six of whom were fellow reporters, according to local medics. The attacks further strain Gaza’s collapsing healthcare system and raise concerns over the safety of civilians and media workers in the besieged enclave.
Key Details of the Strikes:
- Nasser Hospital Strike (Khan Younis): A media tent outside the hospital was hit around 2 a.m., killing al-Faqawi (a reporter for Palestine Today) and another man, while injuring multiple journalists. The strike ignited a fire, destroying equipment and temporary shelters.
- Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital Strike (Deir al-Balah): Three people were wounded when Israeli forces struck nearby tents.
- Additional Casualties: Nasser Hospital received 13 more bodies from other overnight strikes, including six women and four children. Al-Aqsa Hospital reported two additional deaths in a separate attack on a residential building.
Israel’s Response & Ongoing Offensive:
- The Israeli military confirmed targeting Hamas in the area but did not address the journalist casualties, reiterating its claim that Hamas operates near civilian infrastructure.
- Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 50,000 Palestinians killed since the war began, mostly women and children. Israel claims 20,000 militants are among the dead but has not provided verified evidence.
- Hospitals, already overwhelmed, have become shelters for thousands of displaced Palestinians who believed the sites would be safer—despite repeated Israeli raids alleging Hamas activity, which medical staff deny.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens:
- Aid Blockade: Israel has restricted essential supplies since March, exacerbating shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.
- Displacement: Roughly 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, with many living in makeshift tents near hospitals and UN facilities.
- International Concerns: Rights groups warn that Israel’s reported plans to resettle Gazans abroad could amount to forced displacement, violating international law.
Diplomatic Developments:
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss Gaza and regional security, including the controversial resettlement proposal.
- Despite global calls for a ceasefire, Israel vows to continue military operations until Hamas is dismantled and hostages are freed.
The latest strikes highlight the perilous conditions for civilians and journalists in Gaza, where even hospital grounds offer no refuge. With infrastructure in ruins and famine looming, international pressure mounts for a halt to hostilities—but with no resolution in sight, Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe deepens.
