Five journalists among 20 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza hospital

An Israeli airstrike hit the fourth floor of southern Gaza's main hospital Monday, killing at least 20 people, including 5 journalists, Gaza's civil defense said.

Reuters and the Associated Press said they were devastated after contributors were killed Monday in strikes on Gaza blamed on the Israeli military.

"We are devastated to learn of the death of Reuters contractor Hussam al-Masri and injuries to another of our contractors, Hatem Khaled, in Israeli strikes on the Nasser hospital in Gaza today," a Reuters spokesperson said in a statement.

In a statement, the AP said that it was "shocked and saddened" to learn of the death of Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist who freelanced for the agency since the start of the war.

Al Jazeera journalist Mohammad Salama was also among the killed.

The victims on the fourth floor of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis were killed in a double-tap strike with one missile hitting first, then another moments later as rescue crews arrived, the health ministry said.

Khan Younis' Nasser Hospital, the largest in southern Gaza, has withstood raids and bombardment throughout 22 months of war, with officials citing critical shortages of supplies and staff.

The Foreign Press Association called for an "immediate explanation" from the Israeli military and prime minister's office.

"We demand an immediate explanation from the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli prime minister's office. We call on Israel once and for all to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists," the group said in a statement.

The Israeli military said it will investigate the strike.

"Earlier today (Monday), IDF troops carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The Chief of the General Staff instructed to conduct an initial inquiry as soon as possible," the military said in a statement, adding it "regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such."

Israeli strikes and raids on hospitals are not uncommon. Multiple hospitals have been struck or raided across the Gaza Strip, with Israel claiming its attacks had targeted militants operating inside the medical facilities, without providing evidence.

A June strike on Nasser Hospital killed three people and wounded 10, according to the health ministry. At the time, Israel's military said it had targeted Hamas militants operating from a command and control center inside the hospital.

The health ministry said Sunday that at least 62,686 Palestinians have been killed in the war. Around half have been women and children.