Israel Says Journalists Who Died In Attacks In Gaza Are Not "targets"

JAKARTA - Two Reuters journalists and the Associated Press who were killed in an Israeli attack on a hospital in Gaza are not "targeted attacks," a military spokesman said, adding the military commander had ordered further investigation into how the decision to attack the hospital was made.

Israeli forces attacked the Nasser Hospital Complex in the south of the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 20 people, including journalists working for Reuters, Associated Press, Al Jazeera, and other media.

"We can confirm that Reuters and AP journalists are not targets of attack," military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told Reuters on Tuesday.

In addition to Reuters journalists and AP, three other journalists were also killed in the attack.

Using its own camera equipment, Reuters has broadcasted frequent broadcasts from Nasser hospitals during the Gaza war. Over the past few weeks, the news agency has sent daily broadcasts of the positions of the hospital being attacked.

Just at the time of Israel's initial attack on Monday, a live video broadcast of Reuters, operated by cameraman Hussam al-Masri, suddenly died. Masri was killed in the attack.

None of the five journalists were among the six suspected Palestinian militant targets cited by the Israeli military in a written statement released on Tuesday. The statement included photos of six people killed, including those suspected of being members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

"At the same time, the Chief of General Staff regretted the losses incurred to civilians," the statement said, adding the Israeli military was directing its activities solely against the military's targets.

A written statement by the Israeli military identified what he called "several loopholes" that had been instructed by Israel's Chief of General Staff for further investigation:

"First, further examination of the pre-attack authorization process, including ammunition approved for attack and authorization time.

"Second, examination of the decision-making process in the field."

Separately, Benjamin Netanyahu's Prime Minister's Office said on Monday, Israel deeply regretted what it called a "tragic accident."

In a letter to Israeli officials on Monday, Reuters and AP wrote: "These journalists are present in their professional capacity, doing important work as witnesses. Their work is very important given Israel's ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza for nearly two years."

"We hope this investigation will be fast, thorough, and provide clear answers. These deaths demand urgent and transparent accountability," the letter read.

Apart from Masri, who worked as a contract employee for Reuters over the past year, the journalists who died also included Mariam Abu Dagga, who works for the Associated Press and other media, Mohammed Salama, who works for Al Jazeera, Qatar-based broadcaster Moaz Abu Taha, a freelance journalist who works with several news organizations including occasionally contributing to Reuters, and Ahmed Abu Aziz, a journalist for Middle East Eye.

Photographer Hatem Khaled, also a Reuters contractor, was injured.

The military's written statement said troops had identified a camera "placed by Hamas" in the hospital area to observe the activities of Israeli troops.

It said troops acted to eliminate threats by attacking and dismantling the cameras.

Reuters and other news providers often send live video feeds to media around the world during major news shows the situation from the ground directly.