**Title: Western Media Calls for Accountability from Israel Following Journalists' Deaths in Gaza**
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters have demanded accountability from Israel regarding the deadly strike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza that occurred on August 25, 2025. This attack resulted in the deaths of over 20 individuals, including five journalists. The statement marks the first anniversary of the incident, highlighting the ongoing concerns about the safety of journalists in conflict zones.
The journalists who lost their lives in the strike included Hussam al-Masri, a cameraman for Reuters, and Mariam Dagga, a visual journalist who worked for AP and other media outlets. Additionally, Moaz Abu Taha, a freelancer who collaborated with Reuters, was among the victims. The attack also claimed the lives of Al Jazeera photographer Mohammad Salama and Ahmed Abu Aziz, who worked for the Quds Feed Network and various other media organizations.
In their statement, AP and Reuters emphasized the need for "clear answers and accountability" from Israel, noting the significance of the hospital as a protected site under international law and a crucial location for news coverage from Gaza. They expressed concern that the lack of transparency and accountability undermines the safety of journalists operating in conflict areas.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that they conducted a "double-tap" strike on Nasser Hospital but later expressed regret for the harm caused to "uninvolved individuals." The IDF denied any intention to target journalists specifically and promised an inquiry into the incident.
This attack on Nasser Hospital occurred just weeks after another incident where four Al Jazeera journalists were killed in an Israeli strike near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The pattern of violence against journalists has raised alarms, with accusations against Israel regarding the targeting of reporters since the onset of its military campaign against Hamas in October 2023.
In a related context, Reuters has also renewed its demand for an explanation regarding the death of Issam Abdallah, a visuals journalist who was killed by Israeli tank fire while reporting in southern Lebanon in October 2023. The media organizations reiterated their call for the Israeli government to take necessary steps to protect journalists covering the ongoing conflict.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported in February that Israel was responsible for two-thirds of the 129 journalists and media workers killed worldwide in 2025, marking Gaza as the deadliest assignment for journalists since the organization began tracking fatalities in 1992. CPJ criticized Israel for conducting few transparent investigations into these deaths, with no accountability for those involved in the attacks on journalists.
The IDF has consistently rejected allegations that it intentionally targets journalists or their families, asserting that it operates under strict rules of engagement.
As the anniversary of the Nasser Hospital attack approaches, the call for accountability from major news organizations underscores the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in conflict zones and the critical need for protection and transparency in the reporting of war-related incidents.