The UN has said 'there needs to be justice' following Israel's double strike on a Gaza hospital which killed at least 20 people, as an initial Israeli military probe said the strike had targeted a 'camera positioned by Hamas.' Condemnation of the attack, whose victims included five journalists and four health workers, has been mounting, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing it as 'completely indefensible.' Later on Tuesday the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released its initial inquiry, which identified several 'gaps' for further investigation. It came as Israelis launched a day of nationwide protests calling on their government to accept a deal to release the hostages.
Monday's attack on Nasser hospital in Khan Younis saw an initial strike kill at least one person, a Reuters cameraman who was operating a live TV feed from a staircase on the side of the hospital building. A second strike in the same location about 10 minutes later hit journalists and rescuers who were attending the scene. At least 20 people were killed including four health workers and five journalists who worked for international media outlets, including the Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye.
'This is a shock and this unacceptable,' UN human rights office spokesperson Thameen al-Kheetan said on Tuesday. 'This raises many, many questions about the targeting of journalists and all of these incidents must absolutely be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable.' He further emphasized that past Israeli investigations into deaths in Gaza had yet to yield results or accountability measures.
On its part, the IDF has indicated that its strikes were in response to perceived threats from Hamas, yet did not clarify why a second strike was necessary only minutes after the first. The situation remains dire as over 62,000 people have reportedly been killed in Gaza since the onset of military operations in response to Hamas attacks. The humanitarian crisis continues, with fears of famine as large numbers of people are displaced and essential services collapse.
Monday's attack on Nasser hospital in Khan Younis saw an initial strike kill at least one person, a Reuters cameraman who was operating a live TV feed from a staircase on the side of the hospital building. A second strike in the same location about 10 minutes later hit journalists and rescuers who were attending the scene. At least 20 people were killed including four health workers and five journalists who worked for international media outlets, including the Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye.
'This is a shock and this unacceptable,' UN human rights office spokesperson Thameen al-Kheetan said on Tuesday. 'This raises many, many questions about the targeting of journalists and all of these incidents must absolutely be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable.' He further emphasized that past Israeli investigations into deaths in Gaza had yet to yield results or accountability measures.
On its part, the IDF has indicated that its strikes were in response to perceived threats from Hamas, yet did not clarify why a second strike was necessary only minutes after the first. The situation remains dire as over 62,000 people have reportedly been killed in Gaza since the onset of military operations in response to Hamas attacks. The humanitarian crisis continues, with fears of famine as large numbers of people are displaced and essential services collapse.
