Initial IDF probe into Gaza hospital killings claims troops targeted Hamas camera

IDF soldiers who carried out two deadly strikes on the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza killing at least 20 people did so because they saw “a camera set up by Hamas”  being used to observe them, an initial probe into the incident has claimed.

But further inquiries will now take place to “examine several gaps”, including into whether the correct authorisation process  took place prior to the strikes, which killed at least 20 people, including five journalists.

Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has also ordered  further investigations into the strikes including the “ammunition approved” amid claims Golani Brigade soldiers used “shells instead of precision-guided munitions.”

The early results of the investigation have now been presented to Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir by southern command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor.

Military officials told Hebrew-language media outlets on Monday that an Israeli army tank team shelled a camera stationed at the hospital, believing the device was being used to track troops. Two shells were fired by the tank, the officials said.

But this expanation is unlikely to stem worldwide condemnation of the attacks, especially as it failed to explain why the IDF carried out TWO deadly shell attacks on the only functioning hospital in Gaza.

On Monday, a Downing Street spokesperson for Keir Starmer described the incidents as “indefensible.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier described two strikes on a hospital in the Gaza Strip Monday that killed about 20, including five journalists, as a “tragic mishap.”

The first strike on Monday hit the upper floor of the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, killing at least two people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The second strike came as ambulance crews and journalists arrived at the scene — in what is known as a “double tap” strike.

Five journalists affiliated with Reuters, The Associated Press, Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera were killed, according to the outlets.

The IDF’s initial probe found that troops had “identified a camera that was positioned by Hamas in the area of the Nasser Hospital”.

The camera, it says, was “being used to observe the activity of IDF troops”.

“In light of this, the troops operated to remove the threat by striking and dismantling the camera and the inquiry showed that the troops operated to remove the threat,” the statement added.

In further claims to justify the incidents the chief of the general staff alleged six of those killed “were terrorists, one of whom took part in the infiltration into Israeli territory on October 7th”.

But the statement adds that “the Chief of the General Staff regrets any harm caused to civilians”.

The Associated Press said it was “shocked and saddened” to learn of the killing of Mariam Dagga, 33, who had worked as a visual-media freelance journalist for the agency. Reuters said it was “devastated” by the killing of contract cameraman Hussam al-Masri.

“Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. “Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation.”

The killings drew staunch condemnation from global leaders.

French President Emmanuel Macron called the strikes “intolerable” in a post on X, calling on Israel to “respect international law.”

“Horrified by Israel’s attack on Nasser hospital. Civilians, healthcare workers and journalists must be protected. We need an immediate ceasefire,” wrote U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy in a post on X.

U.N. Secretary General António Guterres also strongly condemned the killings in a statement from a spokesperson and called for a “prompt, and impartial investigation.”

Chief of Staff Zamir has now ordered a deeper investigation into what he described as gaps in the IDF’s authorisation process and decision-making in the field.

He also stressed that hospitals are classified as sensitive sites that may only be attacked with high command approval or after extensive precautionary measures, and never with unguided fire.

The Foreign Press Association said the latest killings must serve as a “watershed moment” and urged international leaders to act. It called on Israel to “halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists”, adding that “too many journalists have been killed by Israel without justification”.