The war on Gaza escalated further on Monday after an Israeli airstrike struck near the grounds of Al-Quds Hospital, killing at least six Palestinian journalists who were reporting from the site. The attack has drawn outrage from press freedom organizations and renewed accusations that Israel is deliberately targeting journalists to silence coverage of its military campaign.
The Attack
Witnesses reported that Israeli warplanes fired missiles at the entrance of the hospital, where dozens of civilians had gathered seeking safety. Among the casualties were six local journalists covering the humanitarian situation. Their equipment — cameras, microphones, and press vests — were found scattered in the rubble.
Doctors said the blast also left several civilians critically injured, including patients who had been rushed outside moments before the strike due to earlier shelling in the area.
“This was not crossfire. This was a deliberate strike on a place of healing and on those documenting the truth,” said one surviving reporter.
Journalists as Targets
The killing of journalists in Gaza is part of a disturbing trend. Since October 2023, more than 120 Palestinian journalistshave been killed, making this one of the deadliest conflicts for media workers in modern history. Press freedom groups accuse Israel of systematically targeting reporters in order to block independent coverage of civilian casualties and destruction.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a statement condemning the hospital attack, calling it “a war crime that demands international accountability.” The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) echoed the call, stressing that press vests and cameras “do not make reporters legitimate targets.”
Hospitals Under Fire
This is not the first time Gaza’s medical facilities have come under Israeli fire. Multiple hospitals, including Al-Shifa and Nasser, have been damaged or rendered inoperable. International humanitarian law explicitly prohibits attacks on medical centers, yet Israel has repeatedly justified such strikes by claiming hospitals are used by Hamas — an accusation strongly denied by hospital staff and international observers.
With Gaza’s healthcare system on the brink of collapse, the destruction of hospitals further erodes the chances of survival for thousands of wounded civilians.
Global Reaction
Condemnation of the attack has poured in from around the world.
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Turkey described the hospital strike as “state terrorism against the sick and those who tell the truth.”
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Qatar called it “a massacre against humanity.”
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The United Nations demanded an immediate investigation, while warning that targeting journalists is a direct assault on freedom of the press.
Western governments, however, responded cautiously. The U.S. State Department said it was “seeking further information” while reiterating Israel’s “right to defend itself.”
Conclusion: Silencing the Truth
The deaths of six Palestinian journalists outside Al-Quds Hospital highlight the grave risks facing those who document the war in Gaza. As bombs continue to fall on homes, schools, and hospitals, silencing the press further ensures that the suffering of millions will go unseen and unchallenged.
For Palestinians, the attack is not just an assault on life but also on truth itself.
