An Israeli airstrike hit a media tent positioned outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip early Monday, killing two individuals—including a local journalist—and injuring six other media workers, according to medical sources. The Israeli military said the target was a Hamas operative disguised as a journalist.
In separate incidents, at least 28 more people were killed, hospital officials reported.
Since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month, Israel has launched repeated airstrikes across Gaza and expanded ground operations. It has also blocked the entry of food, fuel, medicine, and other humanitarian aid for over a month to pressure Hamas into agreeing to changes to a previously reached truce deal.
The attack near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis occurred around 2 a.m., setting the media tent on fire. The hospital confirmed the deaths of Yousef al-Faqawi, a reporter for the Palestine Today website, and another man.
The Israeli military said it was targeting Hassan Eslaiah, described as a Hamas fighter who took part in the October 7, 2023 attack inside Israel. Eslaiah was one of the six journalists injured in the strike. He had occasionally submitted footage to The Associated Press and other international outlets, including during the October 7 attack, but has not worked with the AP in over a year.
Another Israeli strike hit tents near Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, wounding three people, hospital sources said.
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Nasser Hospital also reported receiving 20 bodies from separate overnight attacks, including eight women and five children. Meanwhile, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said two strikes on residential buildings in Deir al-Balah killed eight others, including three women and three children.
Thousands Take Shelter in Hospital Compounds
Tens of thousands have taken refuge in tents erected within hospital compounds throughout the 18-month conflict, hoping the facilities would be spared from strikes. However, Israel has raided hospitals multiple times, accusing Hamas of operating from within them—an allegation denied by medical staff.
The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a cross-border attack on October 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 others. Israel says 59 hostages remain in captivity, with 24 believed to be alive.
Israel has pledged to intensify military operations until Hamas surrenders, releases the remaining captives, and exits Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also intends to push forward with a proposal, originally suggested by former U.S. President Donald Trump, to relocate much of Gaza’s population abroad through what he calls “voluntary emigration.”
Palestinians have firmly rejected the idea of leaving their homeland, while human rights experts warn that such a move would likely constitute forced displacement, violating international law.
Protests in Israel Amid Netanyahu-Trump Meeting
As Netanyahu travels to Washington to meet Trump for discussions on Gaza and other topics, dozens of demonstrators gathered outside his Jerusalem residence. They urged him to secure a deal for the release of the remaining hostages, expressing concern that renewed fighting endangers those still held.
“The moment of truth has arrived,” said Varda Ben Baruch, grandmother of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander. “You’re in the U.S. now. Sit with President Trump and finalize a deal to bring them all home.”
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According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military campaign has killed over 50,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children. Israel claims it has eliminated about 20,000 Hamas fighters but has not presented supporting evidence. The war has devastated Gaza, displacing up to 90% of its population at its peak.
Source: With input from agency