Israel struck Nasser Hospital at least four times during its deadly attack in southern Gaza on Monday, an analysis of new video footage by BBC Verify has found. The attack, which has attracted international condemnation and widespread anger, reportedly killed at least 20 people, including five journalists.
Initial reports from Gaza suggested that Israel had struck the hospital twice, with the first blast followed nine minutes later by another, which hit first responders and journalists who were arriving at the scene. However, new analysis indicates the hospital was struck four times in total. BBC Verify and expert analysis identified that two staircases were hit almost simultaneously in the first wave, with what was initially thought to be a single later attack actually being two separate strikes occurring within a fraction of a second.
Israel does not permit international journalists to enter Gaza independently. BBC Verify identified the additional strikes by analyzing dozens of videos provided by a freelancer on the ground, alongside materials filmed by eyewitnesses circulating online.
In the first incident, an Israeli strike hit the exterior staircase on the hospital's eastern side at 10:08 local time (07:08 GMT), killing journalist Hussam Al-Masri, who was operating a live TV feed for Reuters. Notably, BBC Verify found another previously unreported blast at a northern wing staircase at nearly the same time, overshadowed by the 'double-tap' strike on the eastern staircase.
Video footage also captured smoke rising from both staircases, with emergency workers reporting that the hospital’s operating department had been hit. N R Jenzen-Jones, director of Armament Research Services, explained that the footage appeared to show interior damage consistent with a relatively small munition.
About nine minutes later, while dozens of first responders and journalists gathered on the eastern staircase, Israeli forces struck the facility again. Frame-by-frame analysis reveals that two projectiles fired by Israeli forces hit the hospital milliseconds apart at an exposed stairwell where emergency workers had gathered. Experts are divided on the type of munition used in these strikes, with some identifying them as Lahat missiles that could be launched from tanks, drones, or helicopters.
As investigations continue, Israeli officials have expressed regret for the casualties, but the IDF has not acknowledged the multiple strikes on the hospital amidst allegations of international law violations. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with at least 62,900 reported deaths documented up to now, and the conflict representing the deadliest for journalists ever recorded.
Initial reports from Gaza suggested that Israel had struck the hospital twice, with the first blast followed nine minutes later by another, which hit first responders and journalists who were arriving at the scene. However, new analysis indicates the hospital was struck four times in total. BBC Verify and expert analysis identified that two staircases were hit almost simultaneously in the first wave, with what was initially thought to be a single later attack actually being two separate strikes occurring within a fraction of a second.
Israel does not permit international journalists to enter Gaza independently. BBC Verify identified the additional strikes by analyzing dozens of videos provided by a freelancer on the ground, alongside materials filmed by eyewitnesses circulating online.
In the first incident, an Israeli strike hit the exterior staircase on the hospital's eastern side at 10:08 local time (07:08 GMT), killing journalist Hussam Al-Masri, who was operating a live TV feed for Reuters. Notably, BBC Verify found another previously unreported blast at a northern wing staircase at nearly the same time, overshadowed by the 'double-tap' strike on the eastern staircase.
Video footage also captured smoke rising from both staircases, with emergency workers reporting that the hospital’s operating department had been hit. N R Jenzen-Jones, director of Armament Research Services, explained that the footage appeared to show interior damage consistent with a relatively small munition.
About nine minutes later, while dozens of first responders and journalists gathered on the eastern staircase, Israeli forces struck the facility again. Frame-by-frame analysis reveals that two projectiles fired by Israeli forces hit the hospital milliseconds apart at an exposed stairwell where emergency workers had gathered. Experts are divided on the type of munition used in these strikes, with some identifying them as Lahat missiles that could be launched from tanks, drones, or helicopters.
As investigations continue, Israeli officials have expressed regret for the casualties, but the IDF has not acknowledged the multiple strikes on the hospital amidst allegations of international law violations. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with at least 62,900 reported deaths documented up to now, and the conflict representing the deadliest for journalists ever recorded.
