Israeli Strike Kills Palestinian ‘Journalist’ Linked to Hamas at Gaza Hospital

Early Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a precise airstrike targeting key Hamas operatives inside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Among those killed was Hassan Eslaiah, a Palestinian photojournalist whom Israel accuses of operating as a member of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade under the cover of journalism.

Hamas Command Center Hidden Inside Hospital

The IDF described the hospital compound as a command center used by Hamas terrorists to plan and launch attacks against Israeli forces and civilians. This strike was part of a broader campaign targeting Hamas leadership embedded within civilian infrastructure.

Nasser Hospital has been at the center of previous strikes. In March, the IDF targeted the same facility and killed senior Hamas official Ismail Barhoum, who was involved in managing Hamas’s finances and succeeded the group’s de facto Gaza prime minister, Issam Da’alis, also killed in that strike.

The IDF condemned Hamas for cynically using civilian sites like hospitals as shields for their terror activities, putting innocent lives at risk.

Hassan Eslaiah’s Controversial Role

Hassan Eslaiah’s death has drawn significant attention. Though widely known as a freelance photojournalist with his work circulated globally, Israeli authorities say Eslaiah was more than a journalist — labeling him a Hamas operative. Videos and photos posted by Eslaiah during the October 7, 2023, Hamas invasion of Israel showed him accompanying armed militants as they stormed Kibbutz Nir Oz, where many civilians, including children, were killed or kidnapped.

In November 2023, major news agencies including the Associated Press and CNN cut ties with Eslaiah following concerns raised by watchdog groups about his connections to Hamas. His photographs from that day were removed from official feeds.

The Israeli military has frequently accused Hamas of exploiting journalists as cover for terror operations, embedding operatives within hospitals, schools, and aid organizations.

Civilian Protection and Military Strategy

The IDF emphasized it took “numerous steps” to minimize civilian casualties during the strike, using precision munitions, aerial surveillance, and extensive intelligence. The strike came after a brief pause in military operations designed to facilitate the release of Israeli hostage Staff Sgt. Edan Alexander.

Preparing for a Major Offensive

Israel has been preparing for a large-scale offensive in Gaza, potentially to be launched if no hostage deal with Hamas is reached by the end of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit on May 16. Terror groups in Gaza currently hold 58 hostages, including many abducted during the October 7 attacks.

The planned operation, called “Gideon’s Chariots,” aims to dismantle Hamas’s control over Gaza, secure humanitarian aid routes, and relocate Palestinian civilians toward the southern part of the Strip.

Key Points to Remember:

• Israel targeted Hamas operatives at Nasser Hospital, killing Hassan Eslaiah, accused of being a Hamas member posing as a journalist.
• The hospital was previously used by senior Hamas officials involved in terror financing and leadership.
• Eslaiah’s role has been questioned by international media agencies following his documented participation in the October 7 Hamas attack.
• The IDF stresses efforts to avoid civilian harm amid ongoing strikes on Hamas infrastructure.
• Israel is readying a major offensive if no hostage deal is reached soon, with plans to reclaim Gaza and weaken Hamas’s grip.