Israeli forces fired two consecutive shells at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis on Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens, according to Gaza’s health ministry and civil-defence agency. The victims included five Palestinian journalists who were covering the conflict from the hospital, one of the few large facilities still operating in southern Gaza. Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri, Associated Press freelancer Mariam Abu Dagga, Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammed Salama, NBC contributor Moaz Abu Taha and Quds Feed reporter Ahmed Abu Aziz were among those fatally wounded on a fourth-floor stairwell that was struck twice in less than ten minutes. Colleagues said al-Masri’s live video feed went dark at the moment of the first blast; the second explosion hit as medics, rescue workers and additional reporters reached the scene. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “deeply regrets the tragic mishap” and insisted the country “values the work of journalists, medical staff and all civilians.” The Israel Defense Forces released preliminary findings a day later, saying troops aimed at what they believed was a Hamas-operated surveillance camera and that six alleged militants were killed. Military spokespeople added that the Reuters and AP journalists were not targeted and pledged a full investigation into the authorisation and proportionality of the strike. United Nations officials, the Committee to Protect Journalists and governments including France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemned the attack and urged an independent inquiry, noting that hospitals and media workers are protected under international humanitarian law. The incident pushes the reported number of journalists killed in Gaza since 2023 to nearly 200, underscoring mounting concerns over the safety of reporters covering the 22-month-old war.