Updated Aug 25, 2025 - World

20 Palestinians, including 4 journalists, killed in IDF strike on Gaza hospital

Barak Ravid

Palestinians gather outside Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis on August 25, 2025, following Israeli strikes. Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli strikes on the hospital killed at least 15 people. — Palestinians gather outside Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on August 25, 2025, following Israeli strikes. (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Monday in an IDF strike on the Nasser Hospital compound in the southern Gaza Strip, according to the hospital director Atef al-Hout and the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health.

Why it matters: The Nasser hospital is the only hospital currently operating in the southern Gaza Strip.

The strike comes amid Israeli preparations for a new offensive to occupy Gaza City, which is expected to lead to mass displacement and increase the death toll in the enclave.
Approximately 63,000 Palestinians — most of them women and children — have died since Israel launched an offensive against Hamas following the Oct 7th attacks.

Driving the news: According to al-Hout, the first strike targeted the fourth floor of a building inside the hospital compound.

Several minutes later, a second strike took place that targeted reporters and a rescue team who tried to reach the casualties of the first strike.
Four journalists and one aid worker were among those killed in the second strike. The journalists have been identified as Hussam al-Masri, a contractor cameraman for Reuters, Mariam Dagga, a freelance reporter for the Associated Press, al-Jazeera's Mohammed Salama, NBC's Moaz Abu Taha.
The second strike was caught on video and aired on al-Jazeera.
al-Hout said several of the victims are members of the hospital's medical team.

The other side: The IDF confirmed it conducted a strike in the hospital compound.

IDF international spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said the IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has ordered an initial inquiry into the strike as soon as possible.

"The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. The IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of IDF troops," he said.

What they're saying: President Trump said he was "not happy" about the Israeli strike when speaking to reporters in the Oval Office Monday.

I don't want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare," Trump said.
He added that fewer than 20 live hostages are being held by Hamas, and he doesn't think they will be released.
"It is a nasty situation," Trump said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comments from President Trump.

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20 Palestinians, including 4 journalists, killed in IDF strike on Gaza hospital

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