Seven journalists, including a freelancer associated with the BBC, sustained injuries during an Israeli airstrike at the al-Aqsa Hospital’s courtyard in Gaza.
The strike, which targeted a command center of the Islamic Jihad (IJ) militant group within the hospital’s grounds in Deir al-Balah, resulted in the death of four IJ members, as understood by the BBC. Despite Israeli claims of militants utilizing hospitals for military purposes, both Hamas and the hospital’s medical staff have refuted such allegations, and Islamic Jihad has yet to issue a statement.
Al-Aqsa Hospital remains the only operational medical facility in central Gaza, hosting numerous journalists in temporary shelters on its premises. These journalists, primarily hailing from northern Gaza, continue to report under dire conditions, lacking sufficient food, water, electricity, and constantly facing the threat of Israeli bombings. Many of them document life around the hospital and care for their families within the same tents.
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One of the tents, closest to the site of the explosion, belonged to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency. According to photographer Ali Hamad, the tent was attacked without warning. Saeed Jaras, a freelance photographer, emphasized that they were unarmed journalists with no involvement in hostilities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the airstrike killed four and injured 17 individuals. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s chief, confirmed the safety of the WHO team at the hospital and reiterated calls for the protection of healthcare workers, patients, and humanitarian missions, urging respect for international humanitarian law and an end to hospital militarization.
The Israeli military defended the precision of the strike, aimed at minimizing civilian casualties, stating that both the command center and militants were accurately targeted. Over the past 24 hours, Israeli strikes in Gaza have claimed 77 lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, with additional casualties reported in Bani Suhaila near Khan Younis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the continuation of a large-scale ground offensive in Rafah, despite the United States expressing non-support for such actions. Netanyahu insists the operation is crucial for victory.
The largest anti-government demonstration in Jerusalem since the Gaza conflict’s onset has taken place, with Netanyahu facing criticism over security lapses leading to Hamas’s significant attack on southern Israel on October 7. This attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of around 253 individuals, with many still unaccounted for.
Relatives of the hostages have escalated their rhetoric against the Israeli government, demanding action for the release of their loved ones. In response to the ongoing conflict, Israel states its military operation aims to dismantle Hamas, which has led to a significant toll of 32,782 Palestinian deaths and 75,298 injuries, with over 25,000 being women and children, as reported by the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.
