World leaders and journalist groups condemn Gaza strike that killed 5 reporters

Israeli strike on Gaza’s Nasser hospital killed at least 20 people on Monday, including five journalists.

Updated: August 26, 2025 01:18 AM IST

4 min read

Palestinians walk through the rubble caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP)

Leaders and journalist organisations have condemned an Israeli strike on Gaza’s Nasser hospital that killed at least 20 people on Monday, including five journalists working for Reuters, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and other outlets.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement carried by Reuters, “The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Israeli strikes that killed five journalists in Nasser hospital in southern Gaza and calls for the international community to hold Israel accountable for its continued unlawful attacks on the press.”

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said the strike was a deliberate attempt to silence the media. “This heinous crime represents a dangerous escalation in the direct and deliberate targeting of Palestinian journalists… with the aim of terrorising journalists and preventing them from carrying out their mission of exposing its crimes to the world,” the group said, quoted by Reuters.

US President Donald Trump, asked about the incident, said: “When did this happen? I didn’t know that. Well, I’m not happy about it. I don’t want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said, “This is intolerable: civilians and journalists must be protected in all circumstances. The media must be able to carry out their mission freely and independently to cover the reality of the conflict.”

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the targeting of journalists, medical and relief workers “requires urgent and decisive international action to provide the necessary protection for civilians and ensure that the perpetrators… do not escape punishment.”

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric quoted Secretary-General António Guterres as saying: “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing of Palestinians today in Israeli strikes that hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis… These latest killings highlight the extreme risks that medical personnel and journalists face as they carry out their work. He calls for a prompt, and impartial investigation into these killings.”

World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on X, “While people in Gaza are being starved, their already limited access to health care is being further crippled by repeated attacks… We cannot say it loudly enough: STOP attacks on health care. Ceasefire now!”

UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said on X: “Silencing the last remaining voices reporting about children dying silently and famine with the world’s indifference and inaction is shocking… Let us undo this manmade famine by opening the gates without restrictions and protecting journalists and humanitarian workers. Time for political will. Not tomorrow, now.”

The Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem said: “We demand an immediate explanation from the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office… We appeal to international leaders: do everything you can to protect our colleagues. We cannot do it ourselves.”

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