Investigation Finds Israeli Double-Tap Strike on Nasser Hospital Likely Violated Laws of War

The first strike hit Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri as he filmed outside Nasser Hospital on August 25, 2025, killing him instantly. Eight minutes later, as journalists, medics and first responders gathered at the scene, two more projectiles struck the crowd, killing 19 more people. The second strike was captured on live television.

An investigation by The Independent has found that the attack likely constituted a war crime. The strikes killed 20 people total, including Middle East Eye contributors Mohamed Salama and Ahmed Abu Aziz, and Independent correspondent Mariam Abu Dagga.

International law experts told The Independent the attack raised serious concerns over the intentional targeting of civilians and the launching of a disproportionate attack, with the second strike identified as of particular concern.

Israeli whistleblowers told the outlet that a strike on a hospital would have required approval at battalion level at minimum, along with advance planning, undercutting characterizations of the attack as a spontaneous error.

The Israeli military said at the time it had targeted a camera "positioned by Hamas" to monitor Israeli troops, and claimed six "terrorists" were killed. The Independent's investigation identified two of those six as a hospital worker and a member of the civil defence team who had been assisting in the rescue operation, directly contradicting the military's account.

"Where is our outrage over journalists seemingly becoming a legitimate target? Is this the new reality, that killing civilians, medics and humanitarian workers no longer has consequences?" said Labour MP Sarah Champion, chair of the International Development Committee.

The investigation also found that despite having phone numbers for hospital staff, the Israeli military did not contact Nasser Hospital about its stated concerns over the camera before opening fire.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza, called the incident a "tragic mishap" at the time. Israel denies committing war crimes in Gaza and says it does not target journalists.

Following the investigation's publication, British MPs pressed their government to act. Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said she was concerned Britain could be "sitting on evidence that they haven't put forward" to international investigations into allegations of genocide and war crimes, and said such evidence should be handed over proactively.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell said medics working in Gaza have reported to MPs identifying targeted war crimes, including what she described as precision targeting of humanitarian workers with sniper fire and drone use, unnamed in the reporting. She called for the UK to cease trade with Israel and increase sanctions.

The strike remains among the deadliest single incidents for journalists in the Gaza war, with at least four media workers among the dead.