Clockwise from top left: Hossam El-Masry,Mohamed Salama,Moaz Abu Taha,Mariam Abu Daqqa

The ‘double-tap massacre’ which killed five journalists in Gaza today was dubbed a ‘tragic mishap’ by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

Cameraman Hussam al-Masri,a Reuters contractor,was killed in the first missile strike on the fourth floor of the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younnis earlier this morning.

One of the most prominent photojournalists in Gaza,Mariam Abu Dagga,Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammed Salama and photojournalist Moaz Abu Taha were all killed in the second,which was aired on live television.

Dagga,33,freelanced for Associated Press since the start of the war,as well as other news outlets.

At the time of her killing,she was reporting on Nasser Hospital doctors struggling to save children with no prior health issues who were wasting away from starvation.

Medical sources also confirmed that Ahmed Abu Aziz,a freelance reporter with Tunisian and Moroccan news sites,died of injuries he sustained in the Israeli strike.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel ‘values the work of journalists,medical staff and all civilians’,and that the military is investigating.

Yet this year alone,more than 50 journalists and media workers have been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza.

The five journalists were among at least 15 people killed by Israel,which unleashed one missile first,then another moments later as rescue crews arrived.

The death toll has since risen to 20. The bombing also caused further chaos,forcing many patients to flee the area.

Gaza’s civil defence said that at least one emergency responder was killed and seven others were injured.

Photographer Hatem Khaled,who also works for Reuters,was also among those wounded in the second strike.

In the aftermath of bombings,the Israeli army routinely fires on Palestinian rescue workers to prevent them from saving those wounded. This was also the case in Nasser Medical Complex.

Witnesses said the second hit took place after rescue workers,journalists and other people had rushed to the site of the initial attack.

Wounded Palestinians are taken to Nasser Hospital by local residents following Israeli attacks on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis,located in the southern Gaza Strip

(Picture: Getty)

Live footage broadcasted on Alghad TV showed Israel’s ‘double-tap’ strike as a missile hit one of the floors of the hospitals where rescue workers were helping the wounded.

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

Both Reuters and AP news agencies have confirmed that their journalists were killed.

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Follow us to receive the latest news updates from Metro (Picture: Getty Images)Metro’s on Whatsapp! Join our community for breaking news and juicy stories.Gaza’s Government Media Office said in a statement shortly after Israel’s attack: ‘The journalist colleagues were martyred when the Israeli occupation committed a horrific crime by bombing a group of journalists who were on a press coverage mission at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis Governorate,and many martyrs fell victim to this crime.Ahmed Abu Aziz,a freelance reporter with Tunisian and Moroccan news sites‘We hold the Israeli occupation,the US administration,and the countries participating in the genocide crime,such as the United Kingdom,Germany,and France,fully responsible for committing these heinous brutal crimes.’UN envoy Francesca Albanese posted on X,responding to the deadly strike,urging countries to impose an arms embargo on Israel.She wrote: ‘Rescuers killed in line of duty. Scenes like this unfold every moment in Gaza,often unseen,largely undocumented.‘I beg the state: how much more must be witnessed before you act to stop this carnage? Break the blockade. Impose an Arms Embargo. Impose Sanctions.’A damaged camera stained with blood and dust following Israeli attacks on the Nasser Medical Complex (Picture: Getty)

How many journalists has Israel killed in Gaza?

The deaths of the four journalists add to the growing number of media workers targeted and killed during the war – at least 240,according to the Gaza Government Media Office.Meanwhile,a tally by Shireen.ps has the total number to nearly 270.The head of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) stated in 2024 that ‘Israel’s war on Gaza is more deadly to journalists than any previous war’.@gergana.krasteva Gaza is the deadliest conflict for journalists in modern history. Five more were k***ed this morning. #gaza #palestine #worldnews #breakingnews #journalist♬ original sound – Gergana Krasteva | JournalistJust two weeks ago,Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif was assassinated alongside several other colleagues in a targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists in Gaza City.Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal were among those killed.Also killed were freelance cameraman Momen Aliwa and freelance journalist Mohammed al-Khalidi.Mohamed Duar,Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson said: ‘No journalist should ever be targeted or killed simply for carrying out their work.‘Israel must not be allowed to deliberately attack and kill journalists with impunity. Justice must be served for these brave journalists and their family members.’Got a story?