On Aug. 25, 2025, Israeli military forces conducted strikes on Nasser Hospital in Gaza, resulting in 22 Palestinian deaths. Among the casualties were Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri and Mariam Dagga, a visual journalist who worked for The Associated Press and other news outlets. Israeli military officials stated the strikes targeted a suspected Hamas camera positioned on the hospital roof, though the stated rationale for the operation has come under scrutiny.
A year after the incident, accountability remains absent. The Israeli military said it is examining the case and indicated findings would be forwarded to the Military Advocate General’s Corps to determine whether to initiate a criminal investigation, but no timeline was provided. An anonymous Israeli soldier with knowledge of military discussions surrounding the response told media that military officials could identify no evidence linking the camera—which belonged to al-Masri—to Hamas. The soldier further stated that none of the six individuals Israel claimed were linked to Hamas were intended targets of the strikes.
The operational sequence raises additional questions. The first strike killed al-Masri and one other person. When journalists and rescue workers subsequently rushed to assist the wounded, the military struck again, killing 20 more people. Eyewitnesses and video footage indicated none of those struck in the second attack were armed. In total, the military conducted four strikes on the hospital using high-explosive tank shells. AP reported that one of the six individuals Israel identified as Hamas-linked was not listed on the hospital’s casualty records, while two others worked as medical or emergency personnel.
Israel’s initial justification for targeting the camera centered on claims of suspicious behavior, citing a towel draped over the equipment as evidence of concealment. According to multiple sources, al-Masri routinely covered equipment with white cloth to protect it from sun and dust, a standard practice among journalists working in hot climates. The military has not publicly addressed detailed questions from media organizations about the strikes’ justification or investigation status.
On Tuesday, AP and Reuters released a joint statement reiterating calls for a full explanation from Israeli authorities. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesman also called for accountability. The incident reflects broader concerns about accountability mechanisms; human rights organizations note that Israel infrequently holds troops accountable for Palestinian deaths, pointing to lengthy investigations that rarely result in prosecutions.
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