At least 20 people, including five journalists, were killed on Monday after two Israeli strikes hit a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run health ministry says.

The journalists had worked with Reuters, AP, Al Jazeera and the Middle East Eye, the news outlets confirmed. Four health workers were also killed, the World Health Organization’s chief said.

Footage shows a second strike hitting rescuers who had arrived to help those targeted by the initial attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a “tragic mishap” and said military authorities were “conducting a thorough investigation”.

The latest deaths brings the number of journalists killed in Gaza since the start of the war there in October 2023 to nearly 200.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza also said on Monday that the bodies of 58 people who had been killed in Israeli attacks had reached Gaza’s hospitals over the past day, with more bodies unreachable under the rubble of destroyed buildings.

Some footage has just come through to us showing protesters burning tires and blocking traffic near the kibbutz of Yakum.

The stretch of road is about 30km (19 miles) north of Tel Aviv.

Thick black smoke can be seen billowing over the road as demonstrators wave Israeli and yellow flags – symbolising solidarity with the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

The day of action, announced by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, began at 06:29 local time (04:29 BST) – the same time that Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 people.

Demonstrators have already unfurled Israeli flags outside the US Embassy in Tel Aviv, while major roads across the country have been blocked.

Footage posted online shows a large fire being lit along sections of a road linking Tel Aviv with Jerusalem. Elsewhere, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv sections along the Coastal Highway are also closed.

Later today, a “mothers and strollers” protest is planned at Hostages Square, while marches nationwide are expected to be held at 14:00 local time.

The day is set to culminate in the evening with a big march from the Savidor station in Tel Aviv to Hostages Square, where a final demonstration will take place, according to the Times of Israel.

We’re now seeing some images out of Israel which show traffic on major highways coming to a near standstill as demonstrations take place across the country.

The Coastal Highway, also known as Route 2, is closed to traffic around Yakum Junction, north of Tel Aviv, after protesters lit a fire in the middle of the road.

Here’s a look at some of the scenes unfolding on streets across Israel this morning:

Yolande Knell
Middle East correspondent, in Jerusalem

The Hostages and MissingFamilies Forum has begun another day of action – blocking main roads for manymorning commuters in Israel with plans to hold a large rally in Tel Aviv thisevening.

Thegroup is also calling, again, on President Donald Trump for help to finalise aceasefire deal and bring home all of those held captive. Twenty hostages heldby Hamas are still believed to be alive.

Speakinglast night about the Gaza war, Trump predicted that “in the next two to threeweeks you’re going to have a pretty conclusive ending” – raising hopes of aceasefire.

However,Israeli media report that the prime minister is not due to bring up the latestproposal for a 60-day truce and the return of about half the hostages – when hemeets his security cabinet later.

Reports say that is becauseIsrael now wants only a comprehensive deal to bring back all the hostages atonce and end the war on its terms.

Ian Aikman
Live reporter

Protesters are gathering at rallies and demonstrations across Israel this morning, calling for an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the return of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas.

The demonstrations are being organised by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum – a group which has long called for Israel’s government to prioritise the release of the hostages and end the war immediately.

It comes as Israel has been ramping up its offensive in the Gaza Strip, carrying out strikes on Gaza City in advance of its planned invasion of the territory’s largest urban area.

Israel saw widespread condemnation yesterday after its strikes on a hospital in southern Gaza killed at least 20 people, including five journalists and four health workers.

Stay with us, as our teams in London and Jerusalem will bring you the latest updates on the day of protests across the country as it unfolds.

Freya Scott-Turner
Live reporter

Condemnation from world leaders, international bodies and aid organisations has followed the news that five more journalists – and at least 15 others – have been killed by Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, a city in the south of Gaza.

A “tragic mishap” is how Netanyahu describes the attacks, which saw a second strike hit emergency workers directly while responding to the first. This moment was captured on a live stream.

This “double-tap” tactic has been used by Israel before, writes our correspondent Lucy Williamson, while Emir Nader says that the BBC’s ability to report on the war “is diminished” with every killing.

Tomorrow, Israel will see a day of protest organised by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, who are calling for the government to secure a hostage release deal.

For now though, we’re wrapping our live coverage:

• If you want to read more, you can find a full write-up of the strikes on Nasser Hospital on our website.
• You can also read updates on Israeli strikes on Gaza City ahead of its planned offensive, and the latest on calls for Netanyahu to accept a hostage deal, coming from the IDF’s chief of staff

If you’re just joining us – five journalists have been killed after two Israeli strikes hit Nasser Hospital at around 10:00 local time (08:00 BST) in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

• The strikes have killed at least 15 other people and damaged the hospital’s main building, which houses its emergency department
• Footage verified by the BBC shows emergency workers attending to the scene of the first strike, before being hit directly by a second attack
• The journalists had been working for news outlets and agencies including Reuters, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said “Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap” and military authorities are conducting a “through investigation”

• We’ve seen condemnation from politicians including UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy who says he is “horrified” and French President Emmanuel Macron who called the strikes “intolerable”
• International bodies have also criticised the attack with UN secretary-general António Guterres calling for an investigation into the horrific killings and the World Health Organization (WHO) saying the health care system is being “crippled by repeated attacks”. Meanwhile, the Foreign Press Association (FPA) has demanded an “immediate explanation” from Israel

Shaina Oppenheimer
BBC Monitoring Israel specialist

Throughout the Gaza war, most key Israeli media outlets have questioned the independence of journalists in Gaza, at times dubbing them “terrorists” in the face of international criticism of Israel’s killing of media workers.

Mainstream and right-wing Israeli media have long echoed official government and army lines, the notable exception being the left-leaning newspaper Haaretz.

While the Israeli army has ordered an initial inquiry into today’s strike, the right-wing Channel 14 has already portrayed those killed as “terrorists disguised as journalists”.

Channel 14, which is known for its favourable coverage of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is reported to be Israel’s second most-watched TV channel.

Today, it has asserted that the back-to-back Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital were an attack on “targets of the murderous Hamas terrorist organisation in Khan Younis”.

It claimed the attacks had “killed more than 10 terrorists, including activists who carried out propaganda and endangered the lives of civilians” – although the army has not yet presented evidence to back this claim.

Donald Trump has commented again on the situation in Gaza, saying “I deal with Bibi Netanyahu quite a lot” and that he has told him “you better get it settled soon”.

Making the remarks to a journalist while hosting a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in the White House, the US president goes on to say that nobody should forget about the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel, which was “about as bad as it gets”.

He then says of the ongoing war, “but that being said, it’s got to get over with, between the hunger and all of the other problems”.

Trump tells reporters that a “very serious” diplomatic push on Gaza to end the war and secure the release of Israeli hostages held there.

“It’s coming to an end,” he adds. “I think in the next two to three weeks you’re going to have a pretty conclusive ending”.

The UN secretary-general has issued a statement saying he “strongly condemns” the killing of Palestinians in the strikes on Nasser Hospital this morning.

“These latest horrific killings highlight the extreme risks that medical personnel and journalists face,” says the statement, issued by the spokesman for António Guterres.

It goes on to demand that civilians, including medical personnel and journalists “be protected at all times” and calls for a “prompt, and impartial investigation into these killings”.

Journalists should be able to work “without interference, intimidation, or harm, in full accordance with international humanitarian law”, says Guterres.

He finishes by demanding “an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian access across Gaza and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”.

We’ve just got this new comment from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In the statement on X, it says that “Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza”

“Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians” it continues.

Military authorities are conducting a “thorough investigation”.

The PM’s office finishes by saying that “our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home”.

Lucy Williamson
Middle East correspondent, reporting from Jerusalem

Almost 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza since thebeginning of the war, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists – andthe vast majority of them were Palestinian.

It is the world’s deadliest conflict for reporters, amirror of the vast human toll this war has taken on the population there.

The so-called “double-tap” bombing tactic used byIsrael is often fatal for journalists – who rush to the scene of the firststrike, only to be hit by a later one.

But Israel has also routinely targeted journalists itaccuses of working for Hamas, sometimes killing many of their media colleaguesalongside them.

As civilians, journalists covering conflicts are protectedunder International law, unless they take an active part in the fighting.

Simply disseminating propaganda for the enemy doesn’t count.Some of the world’s leading press freedom groups have accused Israel ofdeliberately targeting journalists, which it denies.

It has blocked international journalists from reportingfreely from Gaza for the entire 22 months of this war – the first time this hashappened in any modern conflict.

But Israel routinely allows medics and aid workers in andout of the Gaza Strip, and has provided no convincing explanation for whyinternational journalists remain banned.

French President Emmanuel Macron is the latest to respond to this morning’s strikes on Nasser hospital.

He calls the strikes “intolerable” as he underlines that civilians and journalists “must be protected in all circumstances”.

“The media must be able to carry out their mission freely and independently to cover the reality of the conflict. Humanitarian aid must return. We call on Israel to respect international law,” Macron adds.

He is one of a number of international leaders to respond to the attack so far.

Germany’s foreign office has said it is “shocked” by the killing of several journalists, rescue workers and other civilians. It has called for the attack to be investigated.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s head of communications said Israel “has committed yet another crime against humanity”.

“Press freedom and human values ​​have been targeted once again,” the statement continues.

As a reminder, earlier, when asked for his reaction, US President Trump said he doesn’t want to see it, while UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he was “horrified”.

• As a reminder, the Israeli military has said it “regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such” while acknowledging it had carried out a strike in the area

We can now bring you a statement from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which our Jerusalem correspondent wrote about a short while ago.

It “condemns the Israeli strikes” and “calls for the international community to hold Israel accountable for its continued unlawful attacks on the press”.

The statement, published on the CPJ’s website, continues: “Israel’s broadcasted killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly”.

Sara Qudah, the regional director of the CPJ – which is a New York-based organisation that advocates for press freedom globally – calls the recent strikes “the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history”.

Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces issued a response to the attack, saying it “does not target journalists as such”.

US President Trump has just commented on this morning’s strikes in Gaza.

Asked about the attack, he initially appears not to be aware of it – saying “When did this happen?”

Pushed for his reaction, he responds: “I don’t want to see it. At the same time, we have to end it all. Nightmare.”

He further raises the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza – calling the situation “nasty”.

This video, circulated by broadcaster Al Jazeera, shows the scene in Nasser Hospital in the immediate aftermath of the Israeli strikes this morning.

Thick white dust and damage to interior walls can be seen, as healthcare workers in scrubs try to flee.

Identities of three killed journalists verified from strike videopublished at 16:36 British Summer Time 25 August

By Benedict Garman and Shayan Sardarizadeh

We have been able to confirm the identities of three of the five journalists reported killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza’s Nasser hospital.

Earlier we authenticated a graphic livestream by Al Ghad TV, in which several emergency workers and journalists respond to a first blast at the hospital – before a second strike hits them.

Mohammad Salama, who worked for Al Jazeera, can be seen in a light blue shirt in the livestream. We have confirmed videos and images of his body by matching them with the profile photo of his official Instagram page.

Moaz Abu Taha can also be spotted in the Alghad TV livestream, wearing a black shirt and filming on his phone. His face bears a strong resemblance to the profile photo on his Instagram account.

A facial recognition tool also confirmed with high confidence that the faces of the two journalists seen in the livestream matched those of Salama and Abu Taha on their Instagram pages.

Reuters confirmed its cameraman Husam al-Masri was among those killed in Nasser hospital while filming a livestream that was abruptly cut off. We have verified photos of his body, which match with other publicly available images of him.

Liz Allcock, head of humanitarian protection for Medical Aid for Palestinians, was at Nasser Hospital this morning at the time of the strike.

She was metres away from the explosion.

In an interview with the BBC, Allcock says she was visiting a patient when she heard a “very loud explosion, very close by”.

She recalls that “within seconds” there were people coming into the hospital with blood and dust.

“What we saw there were scenes that I’ll never forget.

“We’ve seen a lot, in the year-and-a-half that I’ve been here and in the almost two years of this catastrophe, and it just gets worse and worse.”

The surgical unit, she explains, was “full of patients who were awaiting surgery or were in recovery from the immediate aftermath of surgery”.

Nasser Hospital is already “hugely overcrowded and over-capacitated,” Allcock says, and as Israel orders clinics in the north and in Gaza City to evacuate, the hospital will become even more stretched.

We can now bring you more details about one of the journalists killed in this morning’s strike on Nasser Hospital.

A spokesperson for Reuters says that Moaz Abu Taha, one of the five journalists killed in the attack, had work “occasionally” published by the news agency.

Earlier, Reuters confirmed that cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a contractor for the news agency, was killed in the strike on Nasser Hospital.

It later added: “Moaz Abu Taha, afreelance journalist whose work had been occasionally publishedby Reuters, was also killed, and photographer Hatem Khaled, aReuters contractor, was wounded.”