On Monday, August 25, 2025, Gaza witnessed a devastating day marked by a deadly strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and mounting fears of a wider military escalation. The tragedy unfolded amid a deepening humanitarian crisis, with warnings of famine spreading across parts of the Strip.
Strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis
In a tragic incident, Israeli forces carried out an airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, one of the Gaza Strip’s most important medical facilities. The strike killed at least 20 people, including several journalists, according to local health authorities. The hospital area was struck twice: the first strike hit inside the facility, and the second came shortly after rescue and medical teams arrived, causing additional casualties among medics and first responders.
Israeli and International Reactions
Following the incident, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed “deep regret” for what it called a tragic accident and said that journalists were not deliberately targeted. The Israeli military announced the opening of an internal investigation. Internationally, human rights groups and press organizations condemned the attack and called for an independent inquiry, warning of a dangerous pattern of violence against media workers in Gaza.
Personal Tragedy and Loss
Among the victims was Mariam Abu Daqa, an independent journalist known for documenting the lives of children in conflict zones. Colleagues and family mourned her loss, describing it as both a professional and a human tragedy. Her death highlighted the extraordinary risks faced by reporters and photographers who continue to work in Gaza.
Escalation Risks in Central Gaza
Military sources indicated that plans for a broader offensive in Gaza City have been approved, though large-scale ground entry had not taken place due to the scale of destruction already present. Diplomatically, Qatar and Egypt continued efforts to revive ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but progress remained uncertain.
Worsening Famine Crisis
The violence came amid a worsening humanitarian emergency. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported famine conditions in Gaza City and surrounding areas, with more than 500,000 people severely affected. Aid agencies warned that without immediate access for food, water, and medical supplies, child mortality could rise sharply and the crisis could spread further to Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah.
Global Concern Grows
Global voices of condemnation intensified. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, decried the strikes as senseless and urged urgent international intervention to protect civilians. Humanitarian groups continued to call for lifting the blockade and restoring medical and food supplies to prevent a total collapse of Gaza’s already fragile health system.
Conclusion
August 25, 2025 underscored Gaza’s grim reality: civilians trapped between escalating military operations and a suffocating humanitarian crisis. With international pressure mounting, the calls for an immediate ceasefire and unfettered humanitarian access have never been more urgent.