GAZA: An initial Israeli military inquiry has found that troops struck what they believed to be a Hamas camera position in Monday’s (Aug 25) attack on a Gaza hospital that killed five journalists, but a further probe was ordered into how that decision was made.

An Israeli security official said on Tuesday that none of the five journalists were among the six Hamas targets killed in the strike on Nasser hospital in southern Gaza. At least 20 people died in the attack. The journalists worked for Reuters, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and other outlets.

ISRAEL MILITARY STATEMENT

In a statement on Tuesday, the Israeli military said troops had identified what it described as a Hamas-operated camera observing its forces. The military said it moved to eliminate the threat by striking and dismantling the camera.

The statement acknowledged “several gaps” that the Chief of the General Staff ordered to be examined, including the authorisation process for the strike, the ammunition approved and the timing, as well as the decision-making process in the field.

It said the Israeli military directs its operations solely against military targets.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel deeply regretted what he called a “tragic mishap”.

Eyal Mayroz, a senior lecturer in peace and conflict studies at the University of Sydney, noted that Israel has often been criticised for failing to adequately investigate such incidents.

"Any attack on such a sensitive installation requires a very high-level authorisation, and apparently this time it was not given," he told CNA's Asia First.

Meanwhile, United States special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump will chair a White House meeting on Gaza on Wednesday, adding that Washington expected Israel's war in the Palestinian territory to be settled by the end of the year.

Mayroz said the key issue is the amount of pressure the US is willing to place on Israel.

He stressed that Washington plays a pivotal role in ending the war, but that its involvement so far has been"not very constructive".

Trump, he added, is refusing to go all the way in pressuring Israel to back down — despite being the only actor capable of doing so.

CASUALTIES CONFIRMED

Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri was killed in the attack. The live video feed he was operating from Nasser hospital cut out at the moment of the strike.

Other journalists killed included Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelancer for the Associated Press and other outlets, Mohammed Salama of Al Jazeera, Moaz Abu Taha, who occasionally contributed to Reuters, and Ahmed Abu Aziz.