Exclusive Video Uncovers Third Strike in Devastating ‘Double-Tap’ Attack on Gaza Hospital | CNN

Israel faced global criticism after a deadly attack on the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza. On Monday, the strikes killed at least 22 individuals, including health workers and journalists.

The first strike occurred around 10:08 a.m. local time when a tank shell hit the hospital’s exterior. Among the casualties was a Reuters cameraman, whose feed cut out immediately. Soon after, as rescue teams and journalists responded, a second strike hit, killing more. This tactic, known as a “double tap,” is notorious for targeting first responders and civilians.

Footage obtained by CNN shows that the second and third strikes were near-simultaneous, causing most of the fatalities. Intentionally attacking civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law and qualifies as a war crime.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the incident as a “tragic mishap.” However, the Israeli military later claimed that the strike targeted “terrorists” and that they do not intentionally target civilians. They acknowledged that investigations into the incident were ongoing.

The striking revelation is that the second wave of attacks was not just a reckless action but appears to have been coordinated, with two shells landing almost simultaneously. Weapons expert N.R. Jenzen-Jones indicated that the munitions involved were likely high-precision tank shells. This suggests a deliberate action rather than a random strike against a “target of opportunity.”

Expert opinion from Tufts University’s Hurst Hannum pointed to the extreme use of force in the attacks, questioning the proportionality as outlined in humanitarian law. “The burden of proving that this was proportional and the only way in which Israel could deal with a threat to their IDF is far-fetched at best,” he stated.

Support for the journalists and civilians affected has been widespread. Organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) decried the attacks. Countries such as Canada, the UK, and Germany also condemned the military actions, suggesting a pattern of escalation in the conflict that dates back years.

Nasser Hospital is currently the only operational hospital in southern Gaza, and many healthcare workers say conditions are increasingly untenable. Salah Mansour, a surgical department supervisor, described the desperate situation, highlighting the need for international legal protections for medical staff in conflict zones.

As this incident unfolds, the evolving narratives from the Israeli military and reports from Gaza health officials bring more complexity to the situation. Discrepancies in accounts and the ongoing humanitarian crisis raise pressing questions about the nature of military engagement and its impact on civilians.

It’s crucial to understand that hospital attacks have long-lasting effects on civilian populations. The community relies on such facilities for their health care, especially during conflicts. The enhanced scrutiny on these events aims to uphold accountability and protect human rights within the ongoing crisis.

For more information, you can read reports from the UN Human Rights Office and various humanitarian organizations.

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