One Year On: No Accountability for Israeli Strikes that Killed Journalists in Gaza

A year has passed since Israeli airstrikes on Nasser Hospital in Gaza resulted in the deaths of 22 Palestinians, including journalists and rescue workers, yet no accountability has been established. The incident, which occurred on August 25, 2025, raised significant concerns about the Israeli military's justification for the attack.

Israeli officials claimed the strikes targeted a suspected Hamas camera located on the hospital's roof. Among the deceased were Hussam al-Masri, a cameraman for Reuters, and Mariam Dagga, a visual journalist for The Associated Press. Despite repeated inquiries from AP, the Israeli military has not disclosed details about the investigation or a timeline for its completion, leading to criticisms from rights groups about the military's historical lack of accountability in similar situations.

As global outrage mounted following the strikes, the military asserted that six of the deceased had ties to Hamas, although no evidence was presented to support these claims. An Israeli soldier, who requested anonymity, later revealed that there was no evidence connecting the camera to Hamas, disputing the military's narrative. This account raises serious questions regarding the military's targeting decisions, particularly since the initial strike killed al-Masri and another individual, while a subsequent strike resulted in 20 more fatalities as journalists and rescue workers responded to the scene.

AP and Reuters jointly called for transparency in the investigation on the first anniversary of the tragedy, emphasizing the need for Israel to provide a comprehensive explanation of its actions that day. "A year later, we remain devastated by their deaths and are still searching for answers from the Israeli authorities about what happened that day," their statement read.

The attacks on Nasser Hospital, a vital medical facility during the conflict, have been characterized by many as indiscriminate. Eyewitness accounts and footage suggest that none of the individuals killed were armed, contradicting the military's assertion of Hamas involvement. The Israeli military has repeatedly conducted strikes on hospitals, claiming they are being used for militant activities, although evidence for these claims has often been lacking.

In addition to the lack of accountability surrounding the strikes on Nasser Hospital, the Israeli military has faced scrutiny for its broader treatment of Palestinian civilians in the context of the ongoing conflict. An organization known as Breaking the Silence has criticized the military's practices, alleging a pattern of retroactive incrimination of Palestinians killed in strikes, which serves to justify the military's actions without thorough investigations. Nadav Weiman, executive director of the group, stated, "This process is used as a tool to avoid carrying out real investigations into civilian casualties."

Compounding the tragedy, the military’s internal investigations into high-profile incidents rarely result in accountability. Recent examples include the killings of a 5-year-old girl and her family and the death of 15 paramedics, which have prompted renewed calls for transparency and justice.

As the situation continues to unfold, the pressing need for accountability and a thorough investigation into the deaths of journalists and civilians alike remains a focal point of concern for international observers.

Source: www.thehindu.com