The Society of Editors has said that it unequivocally condemns the deaths of five journalists in Gaza following an Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in Southern Gaza.

The strike, which took place on Monday 25 August, saw 20 people killed including Reuters journalist Hussam al-Masri; Mariam Abu Dagga, who worked for the Associated Press; the Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Salam; the photojournalist Moaz Abu Taha, and Ahmad Abu Aziz from Quds Feed. An additional Reuters journalist, Hatem Khaled, was also injured in the attack.

The latest killings come only two weeks after a targeted Israeli strike near Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital killed five journalists including prominent Palestinian reporter Anas al-Sharif. The Society described the attack as “appalling” and called on the international community to do more to condemn the killings.

Responding to Monday’s attack, Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society said: “The Society of Editors unequivocally condemns the Israeli strike on Monday which killed five journalists in southern Gaza. We are absolutely appalled that journalists continue to lose their lives while bravely reporting from this conflict and we call on the international community to urgently condemn these attacks and ensure that those responsible are held to account.

“Alongside advocating for the safety of journalists and civilians, the international community must now come together to demand an end to all restrictions on press freedom in Gaza while allowing the foreign media access to ensure it can report, without fear or favour, on the devastating reality of this conflict.”

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) at least 197 journalists and media workers have been killed during the war, including 189 Palestinians killed in Gaza. 

Responding to Monday’s attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the strike as a “tragic mishap”.

He said that Israel “values the work of journalists, medical staff and all civilians”, and that the military was investigating the strike.

Photo: Journalists killed in Gaza, ITV News