“AP Freelancer Among 4 Journalists Killed in Israeli Strikes on Gaza Hospital”

On August 25, 2025, a devastating Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza killed at least 20 people, including a freelance visual journalist working for The Associated Press (AP) and other prominent media professionals. The incident underscores the increasing perils faced by journalists in conflict zones and sparks urgent questions about the protection, accountability, and ethics of warfare where the press operates.

The Incident

According to multiple reports, Israeli warplanes struck the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, with two near-consecutive strikes. The second reportedly hit amid rescue efforts and media presence, a tactic described as a “double tap.”

Health authorities confirmed four to five journalists were among the casualties. AP identified Mariam Dagga, a 33-year-old freelance visual journalist, as one of those killed. Reuters and other outlets also confirmed fatalities among their contracted staff.

Israeli officials called the incident a “tragic mishap”, with a military investigation reportedly underway. The strike has drawn strong condemnation from press freedom organizations and global leaders, including demands for clarity and accountability.

The Victims

Mariam Dagga — AP Freelance Visual Journalist

Mariam Dagga, 33, had become a poignant chronicler of Gaza’s humanitarian crises, especially around children suffering from war-induced malnutrition. She often worked from Nasser Hospital, capturing both suffering and resilience.

AP’s senior leadership mourned her loss, emphasizing the dedication and bravery she brought to her work. Julie Pace, AP’s Executive Editor, called her death devastating. In one of her final video messages, Dagga warned of Gaza’s peril, saying: “Every place is dangerous, … In every home there is suffering.” She left behind a 13-year-old son, living in the UAE for safety. Her funeral, marked by grief and reverence, became a symbol of the casualties faced by journalists in Gaza.

Other Journalists Killed

Reports confirm at least four to five journalists died in the strike:

• Hussam al-Masri, a contractor cameraman for Reuters.
• Moaz Abu Taha, a freelance photographer occasionally working with Reuters.
• Mohammed Salama, an Al Jazeera journalist confirmed dead by that outlet.
• Additional media workers from outlets like Quds Feed were also among the victims.

Context: Gaza’s Deadly Toll on Media

This was not an isolated tragedy.

• The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported 189–193 Palestinian journalists killed since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023.
• Media organizations consistently warn Gaza is one of the most dangerous theaters for journalists globally.
• This latest strike came just weeks after another airstrike killed Pulitzer-winning Al Jazeera reporter Anas Al-Sharif and colleagues in a suspected targeting of journalists.

Responses and Reactions

Media Organizations

AP and Reuters demanded explanations, urging transparency and legal scrutiny. Al Jazeera condemned the loss, calling for international action to safeguard press rights.

International Community

World leaders and advocates voiced outrage:

• UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent ceasefire and investigations.
• French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the attack “intolerable.”
• Reporters Without Borders and others have filed complaints with the ICC over perceived war crimes targeting journalists.

Israeli Position

The IDF termed the strike an unfortunate accident and pledged an inquiry. They maintained that journalists were not targeted.

Deeper Analysis

The Tactical Controversy: Double-Tap Strikes

Targeting the same site twice—in this case, hitting the hospital again as rescuers and journalists arrived—is widely regarded as a tactic to maximize casualties and spread fear, and is condemned as incompatible with humanitarian law.

Gaza’s Medical Landscape

Nasser Hospital is one of the few remaining functioning public medical centers in southern Gaza. Its targeting not only cost lives but severely disrupted healthcare access in a region suffering from famine and infrastructure collapse.

The Role and Risks of Local Journalists

With stringent restrictions on international journalists entering Gaza, local and freelance reporters fill the gaps—often paying the highest price for frontline coverage. Their work remains critical for global awareness of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.