Calls for investigation after Israel's airstrikes kill Palestinian medical staff and journalists
The United Nations has strongly condemned the actions of Israel after targeted airstrikes on Nasser Hospital killed Palestinians, including medical personnel, journalists and civilians.
In a statement released by the spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric, the Secretary-General condemns the killing of citizens and first responders in Israeli strikes, reiterating that the “latest horrific killings” highlight the extreme risks that medical personnel and journalists face as they carry out their work.
“The Secretary-General recalls that civilians, including medical personnel and journalists, must be respected and protected at all times. He calls for a prompt and impartial investigation into these killings,” read the statement.
He reiterates that medical personnel and journalists must be able to perform their essential duties without interference, intimidation, or harm, in full accordance with international humanitarian law.
“The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian access across Gaza and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” said the UN.
On a local note, the African Journalists Against Genocide (AJAG) weighed in and also condemned the killings.
“African Journalists Against Genocide (AJAG) is outraged and strongly denounces Israel’s continued targeting of Palestinian journalists in Gaza, acting with complete impunity in disregard for international law. Journalists were killed live on air. Despite the global outrage and protests that took place after six journalists, including Anas al-Sharif were murdered on 10 August 2025, there are now more murders,” stated AJAG.
It is reported that twenty people were killed in the most recent Israeli attacks and several injured. Israel has accounted for both strikes on the hospital.
AJAG added: “As journalists who work hard to expose these atrocities, we are furious at the unabated violence our colleagues in Palestine are enduring. Israel has murdered at least 274 journalists since October 2023. Journalism is not a crime. Killing journalists is THE crime.”
This echoes what the Media Freedom Coalition stated in 2023, making it clear that it’s forbidden under humanitarian law.
“Journalists are afforded protection under international humanitarian law because they are civilians. Deliberate attacks against journalists are forbidden. All parties to a conflict must treat detained journalists in accordance with international humanitarian law. Furthermore, media equipment, and installations dedicated to civilian purposes are civilian objects and must not be the target of attacks or reprisals, unless they qualify as military objectives.”
The statement was signed by Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The deaths were announced by the Gaza Government Media office, stating: “The Government Media Office strongly condemns the systematic targeting, killing, and assassination of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli occupation. We call on the International Federation of Journalists, the Arab Journalists Union, and all journalist bodies in every country worldwide to denounce these systematic crimes against Palestinian journalists and media workers in the Gaza Strip. We hold the Israeli occupation, the US administration, and the states participating in the genocide — such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France — fully responsible for committing these heinous and brutal crimes.”
IOL