Journalists among the dead and wounded as fire sweeps through tents inside a hospital complex in Khan Younis; IDF claims target was linked to Hamas.

A devastating Israeli airstrike struck a tent settlement within the grounds of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on 7 April, resulting in the deaths of 10 people and injuring dozens more. The camp, primarily sheltering Palestinian journalists, erupted in flames following the explosion.

Footage from the scene captured frantic efforts to battle the fire as it consumed several tents. Among those caught in the blaze was journalist Ahmed Mansour of Palestine Today, who survived with severe burns. His colleague, Helmi al-Faqawi, was killed. Nine other media workers were injured, including photojournalist Hassan Aslih, who sustained head wounds and cuts to his hand.

The Palestinian foreign ministry in Ramallah described al-Faqawi’s death as an “extrajudicial killing” and part of a wider effort to silence journalists covering the ongoing war. According to ministry data, 207 Palestinian journalists have been killed since October 2023.

Al-Faqawi’s burial was attended by dozens of fellow reporters who laid his blue press vest over the shroud covering his body. “We remain committed to telling the world what is happening,” said journalist Abd Shaat, who recalled waking to the sound of the strike and witnessing flames engulf a nearby tent.

Hospitals across Gaza have increasingly become makeshift shelters for displaced civilians and journalists, with many believing they offer a degree of protection from bombardments. However, these assumptions have repeatedly been proven tragically wrong.

The Israeli Defense Forces and Shin Bet claimed the strike targeted Aslih, alleging his involvement in the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel. The IDF stated that he had broadcast footage showing looting and violence during those attacks, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and 250 taken hostage.

Aslih, who has documented the war’s toll on Gaza for an Instagram audience of over 570,000, had recently posted scenes from the funeral of fellow journalist Islam Miqdad, who was killed while sheltering with her child. Her mother, Amal Kaskeen, denied any involvement in militant activities, describing her daughter as “a passionate journalist”.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 2024 was the deadliest year on record for media workers, with Israeli military actions accounting for 70% of journalist fatalities. At least 82 Palestinian journalists were killed last year alone.

The attack came shortly after a fragile ceasefire fell apart in March, prompting Israel to resume bombing campaigns. The United Nations reported that over 140,000 people were displaced within just six days of renewed hostilities.

The broader conflict, now in its 18th month, has claimed more than 50,000 Palestinian lives—one-third of them children—according to figures from the health ministry in Ramallah. Meanwhile, 59 hostages remain in captivity within Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.