Journalists killed in Israel strike on Gaza's south

Gaza officials: Journalists among several killed in strike on hospital

Gaza's Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed in an Israeli strike on the Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis.

Journalists were reported to be among those killed, including those who had worked for Al Jazeera broadcaster and Reuters news agency. 

Al Jazeera later reported, citing the Gaza government's media office, that 14 people were killed in the strike in Khan Younis, including four journalists. 

Reuters reported, citing Palestinian officials, that a cameraman and a photographer who had worked with the news agency were among the four.

They were identified as: Hossam al-Masri, a photojournalist with Reuters news agency; Mohammed Salama, a photojournalist with Al Jazeera; Mariam Abu Daqa, who reported for outlets including the Independent Arabic and the Associated Press; and Moaz Abu Taha, who worked with NBC network.

The journalists were on "a press coverage mission at Nasser Hospital," according to the media office of the Hamas-governed Palestinian territory.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The reports come weeks after Israel killed a group of Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza, claiming they were "Hamas terrorists."

Second strike hit Khan Younis hospital after initial strike: reports

Reuters news agency reported, citing witnesses, that Israel hit Nasser hospital twice on Monday, with the second hit landing after rescue workers and journalists rushed to the site of the initial attack. 

Cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor, was reportedly killed in the first strike, while photographer Hatem Khaled, another contractor with the news agency, was wounded in the second strike. 

Footage from Egyptian television appeared to show the second strike hitting the hospital, with the commentator saying: "The civil defense is gone."