Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement on August 25, acknowledging and expressing regret for an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The strike resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, including five journalists and several medical personnel. Netanyahu described the incident as a “tragic mishap” and reiterated that Israel targets Hamas militants, not civilians.
Netanyahu shared:
“Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza.
Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation.
Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home.”
The strike occurred in two waves. The initial missile hit upper floors of the hospital. A second strike reportedly targeted first responders, including journalists arriving at the scene. Among the dead were journalists from Reuters, Associated Press, and Al Jazeera, including Mariam Dagga and Hussam al-Masri.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed responsibility for the airstrikes and stated that an internal investigation is underway. Military officials claim intelligence indicated Hamas operatives were using the hospital area for military purposes. Netanyahu’s office also asserted that Hamas routinely embeds itself in civilian infrastructure, making targeting more complex.
International response included condemnation from European leaders and the United Nations, who called for an impartial investigation. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy labeled the strike “intolerable,” and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged full transparency. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned attacks on healthcare facilities. U.S. President Trump responded by saying he was “not happy” after receiving details on the incident.
The IDF’s rules of engagement are under review as military operations in Gaza continue. Israel maintains that it uses advanced surveillance and strike precision to avoid civilian casualties but faces challenges due to Hamas’s use of human shields.
