New Delhi, August 27: India on Wednesday expressed “deep regret” over the killing of five journalists in an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, which left at least 20 people dead.
In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the deaths as “shocking and deeply regrettable” and reiterated India’s consistent stand of condemning the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. “India has always condemned the loss of civilian lives in conflict. We understand that the Israeli authorities have already instituted an investigation,” the MEA said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also termed the strike a “tragic mishap,” stressing that Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. He assured that the Israeli military was carrying out a thorough investigation, adding, “Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home.”
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike in the hospital area but said it does not target journalists. “The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such,” the military said.
Reacting to the incident, US President Donald Trump said he had not yet been fully briefed but admitted he was “not happy” with the news. “I don’t want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare,” Trump said, referring to the Gaza conflict where Hamas continues to hold Israeli hostages.
