UPDATE: Israel’s United Nations ambassador, Danny Danon, has confirmed that more information will be released in the coming days regarding the devastating strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, which tragically claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals, including five journalists. This urgent announcement follows the deadly incident that occurred on October 16, 2023.
In a statement to the press, Danon emphasized, “We’re still looking into the details of that incident and so that in the next few days we will have more information about that.” He reiterated Israel’s commitment, stating, “Our goal is to fight terrorists, not journalists, not anyone who is not involved in terrorism.” The journalists who lost their lives were affiliated with major news outlets including Reuters, the Associated Press, and al-Jazeera.
According to Dorothy Shea, acting U.S. ambassador to the UN, Israel’s military has reported that the strike targeted six Hamas members who were allegedly using the hospital to monitor troop movements. Shea stated, “The IDF struck the site Hamas was using to monitor troops at the hospital.” The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released photographs of six deceased individuals, all purportedly linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
However, it is critical to note that none of the five journalists were identified as targets in this attack, raising significant concerns about civilian safety amidst ongoing military operations. The international community is responding with urgency, as all members of the United Nations Security Council, except for the United States, have labeled the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a “manmade crisis.”
On October 18, 2023, the Security Council issued a joint statement urging an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, a substantial increase in humanitarian aid throughout Gaza, and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on aid delivery by Israel. The gravity of using starvation as a weapon of war has been condemned, highlighting the dire situation facing civilians in the region.
As this story develops, observers are keenly watching for Israel’s forthcoming details on the incident and the international response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected shortly.
This incident has ignited a global conversation about the protection of journalists in conflict zones and the imperative for humanitarian principles to be upheld. Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent situation unfolds.
