UN demands justice after deadly Israeli strike on Gaza hospital

The United Nations has demanded accountability following Israel’s double airstrike on Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, which left at least 20 people dead, including five journalists and four health workers.

The call came as Israel’s military admitted gaps in its inquiry into the strike, which it claimed was aimed at dismantling a Hamas camera.

The attack on Monday began with an airstrike that killed a Reuters cameraman broadcasting live from a hospital staircase. Ten minutes later, a second strike hit the same location, killing journalists and medics who had rushed to assist.

Among the victims were staff from Reuters, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye.

“This is a shock and this unacceptable,” UN human rights office spokesperson Thameen al-Kheetan said on Tuesday.

“This raises many, many questions about the targeting of journalists and all of these incidents must absolutely be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable. These investigations need to yield results. There needs to be justice. We haven't seen results or accountability measures yet.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its operation targeted a Hamas surveillance camera near the hospital that was allegedly monitoring troop movements.

“The troops operated to remove the threat by striking and dismantling the camera,” the statement read, adding that six of those killed were “terrorists.” It stressed that Reuters and Associated Press journalists had not been a target.

The military’s explanation contrasted with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s earlier remarks describing the incident as a “tragic mishap.”

The IDF conceded it must review its authorisation process, the ammunition used, and the “decision-making process in the field,” but did not clarify why a second strike was launched minutes after the first.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined global condemnation, calling the hospital bombing “completely indefensible.” International criticism comes amid mounting pressure on Israel over repeated strikes on Gaza’s hospitals, which are protected under international law but have often been accused by Israel of being used by Hamas.

The incident unfolded as protests erupted across Israel, with demonstrators blocking highways and gathering in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to demand a ceasefire deal that would secure the release of remaining hostages.

“Israel is standing against Netanyahu and his regime,” said Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod was taken hostage during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.

“Another day to make sure the issue of the hostages stays a high priority. Another day to pressure Netanyahu and force him to end the war and get a hostage deal.”

Hamas has accepted a ceasefire proposal, but Israel has rejected it, with Netanyahu insisting on a new arrangement to secure the release of all hostages in one exchange.

Israeli officials estimate that only 20 of the 50 hostages are still alive after 22 months of war.

Qatar, a key mediator, said it was still awaiting an official response from Israel.

“The responsibility now lies on the Israeli side to respond to an offer that is on the table. Anything else is political posturing,” said foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry reported 75 Palestinian deaths in the past 24 hours. Israel has unveiled plans to seize Gaza City if Hamas refuses to disarm and release hostages.

The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has confirmed a famine in Gaza City and nearby areas, warning that over half a million people face “starvation, destitution and death.”

Israel dismissed the findings as “an outright lie.”

Since the war began in October 2023, following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken, more than 62,800 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry.

Over 90% of homes have been damaged or destroyed, with critical infrastructure including healthcare, water and sanitation systems collapsing under relentless bombardment.