Key facts
- An investigation by The Independent found Israel may have committed war crimes in a double-tap attack on Nasser Hospital in Gaza on August 25, 2025.
- The attack killed 20 people, including journalists and medics.
- The second strike, which killed 19 people, occurred eight minutes after the initial strike.
- International law experts cited concerns over intentional targeting of civilians and disproportionate attacks.
- Israel denies war crimes and stated it targeted a Hamas camera, claiming six terrorists were killed, but The Independent identified two as a hospital worker and civil defense member.
- British MPs have urged the UK government to hold Israel accountable and consider sanctions.
An investigation by The Independent has found that Israel may have committed war crimes in a double-tap attack on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on August 25, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 20 people, including journalists and medics.
The initial strike killed Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri as he was operating his camera. Eight minutes later, a second strike hit a gathering crowd of journalists, medics, and first responders, killing 19 individuals. This second strike was captured on live television.
International law experts consulted by The Independent expressed serious concerns regarding potential war crimes, including the intentional targeting of civilians and the launching of disproportionate attacks, with particular emphasis on the second strike.
Israel has denied committing war crimes in Gaza and stated that it does not target journalists. At the time of the incident, then-Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a "tragic mishap." The Israeli military claimed it had targeted a camera "positioned by Hamas" to monitor Israeli troops, asserting that six "terrorists" were killed. However, The Independent identified two of these individuals as a hospital worker and a member of the civil defence team assisting in the rescue operation.
Israeli whistleblowers indicated that an attack on a hospital would necessitate approval at least at the battalion level and require advance planning. The investigation also revealed that the military did not contact the hospital about its concerns regarding the camera, despite possessing contact information for hospital staff.
Following the investigation's findings, British Members of Parliament have urged the UK government to hold Israel accountable. Labour MP Sarah Champion questioned the lack of outrage over the apparent targeting of journalists and humanitarian workers, emphasizing the responsibility of the international community to uphold the Geneva Conventions. Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran advocated for Britain to proactively share any relevant evidence with international bodies for potential trials. Labour MP Rachael Maskell called for the Israeli military to be held accountable through international courts and proposed that the UK government implement strong measures, including ceasing trade and increasing sanctions against Israel.