Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters journalist, was killed on Monday during a live broadcast at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital. He was reporting on the ongoing conflict and the suffering of civilians when Israeli fire struck the hospital. Masri was 49 years old and known for his bravery and positive attitude in dangerous situations.
The journalist had been working in Gaza for many years. His colleagues described him as experienced and dedicated. Despite the harsh conditions, he remained hopeful and committed to telling the truth about life in Gaza. His last conversation with a fellow journalist showed his optimism, even as the situation worsened.
Masri’s body was found with his camera in a stairwell outside the hospital, where he had been filming the area of Khan Younis. Shortly after the first explosion, a second blast killed at least 19 people, including rescue workers and journalists from other news agencies.
Israel’s military said the journalists were not the intended target of the strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a “tragic mishap.” However, the Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the attack and called for accountability. They said that 189 Palestinian journalists have been killed during the Gaza war.
Masri’s family had been living in difficult conditions. His wife, Samaher, was seriously ill with cancer, and he was trying to get her medical treatment outside Gaza. The couple had four children. Masri grew up in Khan Younis and began his journalism career in 1998. He wanted to show the world the reality of Gaza’s conflict.
Before his death, Masri had been providing live coverage of displacement camps and humanitarian aid at the Rafah border. He chose to work from Nasser Hospital because he believed it was safer. His last report showed families mourning relatives lost in airstrikes.
Hussam al-Masri’s death is a great loss to the journalism community and to those who sought to understand the crisis in Gaza through his work.
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