The Associated Press conducted an extensive investigation into Israeli military strikes at Nasser Hospital in Gaza, which killed 22 people on August 25, including five journalists. Among the victims was Mariam Dagga, who worked for the Associated Press and other news organizations cited by the AL Mayadeen report. The investigation raises serious concerns about Israeli forces’ justification for the attack and how it was carried out.
According to an Associated Press, Israeli forces targeted what they claimed was Hamas’ observation post on an outside stairwell at the hospital. The military claimed they observed “suspecting behaviour” including a camera covered in towels, but they interpreted it as an attempt to conceal.
However, an Associated Press investigation revealed that the camera actually belonged to Reuters video journalist Husam Al Masri. The AP collected evidence that Al-Masri routinely covers his equipment with a white cloth. This is a standard practice among journalists around the world to protect their cameras from the sun and dust. Witnesses told the AP that Al-Masri was broadcasting live from this location almost every day just a few weeks before the attack.
The investigation found that Israeli forces had observed the drone’s position, including about 40 minutes before the strike.
The AP investigation recorded that “Israel” attacked separate hospitals four times on August 25th. The news agency’s analysis also revealed several aspects of the way the attack was carried out.
Within ten minutes of the first strike, Israeli forces attacked the same location again, but medical workers and journalists, including Dagga, arrived to help the injured and report the incident. According to the AP report, international law experts are considering such “double tap” attacks that could constitute a war crime, as they appear to be designed to target rescue workers and first responders.
MNA