At least 16 people lost their lives, and 70 others were injured in an Israeli airstrike on the European Hospital in Gaza. The health ministry reported that nine missiles struck the hospital and its courtyard in Khan Younis, a city in the southern part of the Palestinian territory.
Israel stated that the attack targeted a Hamas command center located beneath the hospital. However, Hamas denied these allegations, insisting that they do not use hospitals or civilian structures for military purposes.
The strikes on the hospital came just after the death of Hassan Aslih, a well-known Palestinian photojournalist, who was killed in a separate attack on the Nasser Hospital, also in Khan Younis. Aslih had been recovering from earlier injuries and had been accused by Israel of collaborating with Hamas.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many people receiving treatment on the third floor of the hospital when the missiles struck. The Israeli military claimed that significant Hamas operatives were eliminated in the attack, including Aslih, whom they accused of disguising himself as a journalist.
The damage to the hospital was extensive, affecting medical equipment and patient areas. Reports indicate that the ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 52,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, with the situation in Gaza worsening due to an aid blockade that has left many on the brink of famine.
As the war continues, the International Federation of Journalists reports that at least 160 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since the fighting began. Gazan officials accuse Israel of deliberately targeting the press, while Israel maintains that it tries to avoid civilian casualties.
Aslih’s death highlights the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones. He had a significant following on social media and had previously worked with various Western news outlets. His work included documenting the violence during Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, which sparked the current war.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire, with organizations warning of long-term impacts on the population due to hunger and malnutrition. As the conflict escalates, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing violence.