IDF’s Deadly Mistake: Tank Shells Hit Gaza Hospital in Unauthorized Error
The IDF is investigating an unauthorized tank shell attack near Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis that killed civilians, including journalists, despite orders for precise strikes, labeling it a serious operational error. The probe aims to clarify command failures and maintain military accountability amid rising concerns over operational fatigue and civilian casualties.
The IDF’s Southern Command is urgently investigating a deadly strike on August 25, 2025, near Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, where tank shells were fired despite approval for precise, limited weaponry to minimize collateral damage. The attack, which reportedly killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, has been labelled a serious operational error by the IDF, with at least eight of the deceased identified as Hamas terrorists based on intelligence. The probe centers on why four tank shells were used, contravening orders from senior officers, including the Southern Command chief, for targeted measures due to the hospital’s sensitive status.
Days before the strike, IDF forces spotted a Hamas operative placing a camera on a hospital balcony to monitor troop movements, prompting approval for a precise strike to neutralize the threat. The decision required high-level authorization to avoid harming the hospital, a critical facility treating over 1,000 patients. However, the use of tank shells led to unintended civilian casualties, including journalists from Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Associated Press, who were stationed on an exterior staircase. The IDF emphasized, “At least eight of those killed were identified terrorists, and this number may increase,” but acknowledged the deviation from protocol as a critical failure. The military warned that fatigue and operational strain, evident in recent incidents like the Kfir Brigade ambush, risk compromising judgment, underscoring the need for the investigation to maintain IDF readiness and international legitimacy.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement: “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. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home.” The incident, part of ongoing operations against Hamas’s use of civilian infrastructure, has drawn global scrutiny, with nearly 200 journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023, per the Committee to Protect Journalists though in many of these cases these 'journalists' had terrorism ties.