In one of the deadliest incidents in recent days, an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza on Monday left at least 15 people dead, including three journalists. Among the victims was Hussam al-Masri, a dedicated cameraman who worked as a contractor for Reuters.
According to Palestinian health officials, al-Masri lost his life while doing what he had always done — capturing the harsh realities of war to inform the world. Another journalist, Hatem Khaled, also a Reuters photographer, was injured in the same strike but is currently receiving medical treatment. The identities of the other casualties, many of whom were civilians seeking shelter or care at the hospital, are still being confirmed.
The silence from Israeli authorities has been deafening. Both the Israeli military and the Prime Minister’s Office have declined to comment on the strike or the mounting civilian toll in Gaza.
What was once a place of healing, Nasser Hospital is now marked by grief, debris, and loss. Doctors and medical staff, already overwhelmed by a collapsing health system, now mourn their colleagues and patients while continuing to work under unimaginable circumstances.
This tragic event raises urgent questions about the protection of journalists, healthcare workers, and civilians in conflict zones. As the war intensifies, stories like Hussam’s remind us of the human cost hidden behind headlines and statistics — lives lived, stories unfinished, and families shattered.
