The Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness) strongly condemns the direct Israeli shelling of Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis on the morning of Monday, August 25, 2025, which led to the martyrdom of 15 Palestinians and the injury of dozens, including journalists and civil defense crews while performing their humanitarian and media duties.
Among the martyred journalists are: Palestine TV cameraman Hossam Al-Masri, Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammad Salama, journalist Mariam Abu Deqqa, and Moath Abu Taha. The Civil Defense also announced the martyrdom of a firetruck driver and the injury of 7 others while attempting to rescue the wounded and retrieve the martyrs.
Witness affirms that targeting medical and rescue crews, and journalists who enjoy special protection under international humanitarian law, constitutes a flagrant violation of the provisions of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, and a blatant breach of Article (79) of Additional Protocol I of 1977, which guarantees the protection of journalists in conflict zones, as well as Article (18), which obligates parties to the conflict to respect and protect hospitals and medical facilities under all circumstances.
Witness also points out that targeting Nasser Medical Complex during live broadcast reflects a systematic policy followed by Israel since the beginning of the aggression on Gaza, aimed at civilians, hospitals, relief and rescue teams, and obstructing humanitarian aid. This constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and amounts to genocide according to Article (6) of the Rome Statute.
The Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness) calls on the international community to:
1️⃣ Urgent action by the United Nations, the Security Council, and the World Health Organization to stop targeting civilians and medical facilities.
2️⃣ Open an investigation by the International Criminal Court into this crime within the file of genocide crimes.
3️⃣ Address international press freedom organizations to ensure the protection of journalists and to document violations both media-wise and legally.
4️⃣ Guarantee the immediate and safe delivery of humanitarian and medical aid to all areas of the Strip.
Beirut – August 25, 2025
Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness)