The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that an initial investigation into the strike on a Gaza hospital, which resulted in the deaths of five journalists, revealed that troops had identified a camera “set up by Hamas” to monitor its forces in the area.
On Monday, Israeli forces targeted Nasser hospital in southern Gaza, killing at least 20 individuals, including journalists from Reuters, Associated Press, Al Jazeera, and other outlets.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office expressed deep regret over what he termed a “tragic mistake” later that day.
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Earlier on Tuesday, the UN stressed that Israel must not only investigate alleged illegal killings in Gaza, such as the hospital strike, but also ensure these investigations produce outcomes.
“There must be justice,” United Nations rights office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva, highlighting the significant number of media personnel killed in the Gaza conflict, which “raises numerous questions about the targeting of journalists”.
Reuters, Associated Press, and Al Jazeera released statements mourning their lost contributors.
“The Israeli authorities have previously announced investigations into such killings,” Kheetan noted.
“It is, of course, Israel’s responsibility as the occupying power to investigate, but these investigations must yield results,” he stated.
“We haven’t seen results or accountability measures yet. We urge accountability and justice,” he added.
Kheetan reported that at least 247 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since hostilities erupted following Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
“These journalists serve as the eyes and ears of the world and must be protected,” he emphasized.
When asked if Monday’s attack could be a “double-tap” strike, where an initial strike is followed by a second targeting rescuers and civilians, Kheetan stated that this needed investigation.
“Reports indicate the Israeli military conducted several airstrikes on the Nasser Medical Complex, with two strikes occurring in quick succession,” he explained.
“It appears one of the five journalists was killed in the first strike, while three others, including a female journalist, were killed in the second strike,” he described, calling it “shocking” and “unacceptable”.
“This incident and the killing of all civilians, including journalists, must be thoroughly and independently investigated to ensure justice,” he concluded.
(With inputs from AFP)
