Israeli Strike on Gaza Hospital Kills at Least 15, Including Journalists

New Delhi, Aug 25, 2025 At least 15 people were killed on Monday, August 25, when an Israeli airstrike struck Nasser Hospital in Gaza City, according to Palestinian health officials. Among the victims were three journalists, including Reuters photographer Hatem Khaled, a longtime contractor with the agency. The deaths mark yet another tragic escalation in the nearly two-year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas. Strike Amid Intensifying Offensive The strike occurred as Israel pressed forward with its large-scale operation to seize control of Gaza City. Last week, the Israeli military confirmed it had begun the first steps of its campaign, calling up tens of thousands of reservists. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that dismantling Hamas strongholds remains the government’s top military objective, following the group’s surprise attack on Israel in October 2023 that ignited the current war. Monday’s attack underscores the human toll of the offensive, hitting a medical facility already strained by casualties and shortages. Images from Gaza showed smoke billowing over the city as emergency workers rushed to contain the damage and evacuate the injured. Ceasefire Talks Under Strain The escalation came just as Netanyahu’s government was weighing a new ceasefire proposal put forward by international mediators. Calls for a pause in hostilities have grown louder as the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates. Despite this, Israel’s security cabinet has approved an expansion of military operations, signaling an unwillingness to scale back. Hamas swiftly condemned the hospital strike, accusing Netanyahu of deliberately undermining ceasefire negotiations. In a statement posted on Telegram, the group denounced Israel’s offensive as a “brutal war against innocent civilians in Gaza City.” International Concerns The incident has heightened global alarm over Israel’s military strategy. Humanitarian organizations and foreign governments have repeatedly urged Israel to halt its airstrikes, citing the growing civilian toll and displacement of Palestinians. Critics argue that targeting hospitals and densely populated areas risks further isolating Israel diplomatically. Netanyahu’s far-right coalition, however, has doubled down on hardline policies. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently advanced a controversial settlement plan in the occupied West Bank, further drawing condemnation from international observers who say such moves damage any prospects for a negotiated peace. Balancing Pressure at Home and Abroad Within Israel, the government faces competing pressures. Security hawks argue that only decisive military action can ensure Israel’s long-term security, while moderates warn that the war is eroding Israel’s global standing and humanitarian credibility. Netanyahu, already embattled politically, must balance demands from his coalition partners with mounting international calls for restraint. A Conflict Without Resolution For Gaza’s residents, the latest strike is another devastating blow in a war that shows no sign of ending. With hospitals damaged, infrastructure crumbling, and thousands displaced, the humanitarian crisis is deepening. International actors continue to push for a ceasefire, but both sides remain entrenched. The deaths of journalists at Nasser Hospital have also cast a spotlight on the risks faced by media professionals covering the war. News organizations have expressed outrage and grief, calling for greater protection of reporters in conflict zones. As Israel intensifies its push to capture Gaza City and Hamas resists from entrenched positions, the likelihood of a near-term ceasefire appears slim. For now, the people of Gaza remain caught in the crossfire of a conflict entering its second year, with little relief in sight. Gaza Hospital Strike Kills 15, Including Journalists Israeli strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital killed at least 15 people, including 3 journalists. Victims include Reuters photographer Hatem Khaled. The attack comes as Israel expands operations in Gaza City, despite growing calls for a ceasefire.