The conflict in Gaza has escalated, with new evidence revealing that Israel's military struck Nasser Hospital at least four times during an intense attack on Monday, according to an analysis by BBC Verify.
This attack resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 20 individuals, including five journalists, and has sparked widespread international outrage. Initial reports indicated that the hospital was hit twice; however, further findings suggest that a total of four strikes were made.
BBC Verify's analysis found that the first strikes occurred almost simultaneously on two staircases, quickly followed by additional attacks targeting first responders at the site.
Israel has restricted independent media access to Gaza, which has made it difficult to verify claims on the ground. Reports suggested a first strike on the eastern staircase that killed journalist Hussam Al-Masri just minutes after the initial attack.
Subsequent analysis provided by BBC Verify, using a multitude of videos from various sources, identified additional strikes that had gone previously unreported.
Despite the ongoing investigations, the IDF has not provided a comprehensive explanation, and their account has changed since the initial crisis unfolded. They expressed regret for the collateral damage while suggesting a Hamas-operated camera was in play.
Legal experts have critiqued these attacks as potentially violating the Fourth Geneva Convention, which mandates the protection of civilians during military operations. According to Professor Janina Dill of Oxford University, the presence of adversarial equipment such as surveillance cameras does not negate the hospital's protected status.
As the conflict escalates, with more than 62,900 reported deaths in Gaza since the onset of current hostilities, scrutiny surrounding military actions continues to grow.
