At least 15 people, including three journalists, were killed in an Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, Palestinian health officials confirmed on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Among the dead were two Reuters contractors.
Cameraman Hussam al-Masri died in the strike, while photographer Hatem Khaled was injured.
These fatalities highlight the increasing dangers journalists face while reporting in conflict zones.
The attack comes shortly after the United Nations officially declared a famine in Gaza—the first in the Middle East.
UN officials estimate about 500,000 people are now facing “catastrophic” hunger. The declaration raises urgent humanitarian concerns.
Tom Fletcher, the UN’s emergency relief coordinator, described the situation bluntly “It is a famine: the Gaza famine.”
He criticized Israel, pointing to what he called a “systematic obstruction” of aid deliveries to the besieged territory.
Israel rejected the UN’s assessment. Its foreign ministry said the famine declaration was “based on Hamas lies laundered through organisations with vested interests.”
Officials insist that “there is no famine in Gaza.”
The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC) issued the assessment.
According to IPC standards, a famine is declared when at least 20% of households face extreme food shortages, 30% of children under five suffer acute malnutrition, and at least two in every 10,000 people die daily from starvation or related diseases.
The Nasser Hospital strike follows a series of attacks that have disproportionately affected civilians and media personnel.
Advocacy groups have condemned the repeated targeting of hospitals and medical facilities.
They argue such actions violate international humanitarian law and endanger journalists.
As the crisis deepens, global watchdogs and aid organizations are urging both sides to protect civilians and media workers.
The worsening food insecurity threatens hundreds of thousands of people, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian access and protection measures.
The situation in Gaza is now both a humanitarian and media crisis. Aid organizations continue to call for immediate intervention to prevent further deaths from hunger, disease, and conflict-related violence.
