Hassan Eslaih, a Palestinian journalist, died in an Israeli airstrike while being treated at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis.
Hassan Eslaih, a well-known journalist in Gaza, was killed on Monday in what Israel described as a direct military operation. The strike hit Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis—where Eslaih was receiving treatment for severe burns from a prior Israeli raid. Another person was also killed in the attack.
Second Attack After April Injury
Eslaih had earlier survived an Israeli strike on April 7 that hit a media tent just outside the same hospital. Although he was being treated in the burn unit, his condition worsened after Monday’s bombing, which ultimately claimed his life.
Allegations Without Proof
The Israeli Defense Forces claimed the hospital was hiding a Hamas command center and alleged that Eslaih had ties to the group and was part of the October 7 attack on Israel. However, no proof has been released to support the claims. Eslaih had publicly rejected such accusations before.
Hospital Target Sparks Outrage
The Nasser Medical Complex, the largest in southern Gaza, has long been seen as a safe zone. Its targeting has sparked fury among local authorities, who say Israel is deliberately attacking health institutions and even patients inside.
“Eslaih’s killing proves the continuous effort by Israel to silence truth and break down Gaza’s already fragile health system,” the Gaza Government Media Office said in a statement.
Medical Facilities Under Fire
The Palestinian Health Ministry echoed the condemnation, saying hospitals and patients have become repeated targets. Since the beginning of the intensified conflict in October 2023, local officials report that at least 36 health facilities have been struck by Israeli forces.
Journalists Caught in the Crossfire
Eslaih’s death also adds to the growing list of journalists who have been killed since the conflict began. The Committee to Protect Journalists has counted at least 178 media workers killed in Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon. Authorities in Gaza, however, place the figure even higher—at 215.
