MPs call for stronger measures against Israel following Gaza hospital attack
MPs have urged Britain to “take the strongest measures” against the Israeli government in the wake of an investigation into the killing of journalists, first responders and medics in a double-tap attack on one of the last functioning hospitals in Gaza, reports BritPanorama.
They want Downing Street to increase sanctions and cease all trade with Israel rather than “accept weak justifications” for apparent war crimes and breaches of international humanitarian law.
This follows revelations about the 25 August, 2025 incident that killed Gaza correspondent Mariam Abu Dagga and at least 19 others.
The investigation and reconstruction were based on 17 eyewitness accounts, alongside the testimony of two Israeli whistleblowers, three weapons experts, and international law experts. Mariam was among more than 20 people, including five journalists, killed by Israeli tank fire as she rushed to report on an earlier strike. Just eight minutes beforehand, a prior attack had killed Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis.
The findings indicate that, according to international law experts, there is strong evidence pointing to war crimes involving intentional attacks on civilians and disproportionate force, particularly during the second strike.
The Israeli military stated at the time that it “regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals” and that it “does not target journalists as such.” It later claimed the Golani Brigade identified a camera “that was positioned by Hamas” to observe troops and named six “terrorists” who were supposedly killed during the attack. The military has consistently denied committing war crimes in Gaza.
However, the investigation shows that the camera under scrutiny was the Reuters live feed, positioned in an area frequently utilized by journalists, including Mariam. She had taken a photo of the camera weeks prior, appearing in Israeli military surveillance footage just three days before the attack.
The investigation discovered that the military did not contact the hospital regarding issues with the camera, despite having contact information for staff members, nor did they issue a warning about impending strikes, which is mandated by international law.
During the first round of strikes, two tank projectiles were likely fired, one of which killed Hussam al-Masri and destroyed his camera. Another projectile struck an area near the operating theatre where medics rested. Just eight minutes later, as journalists, medics, and displaced civilians gathered in the stairwell to assist and report— visible to live-streamed cameras—two more tank projectiles were fired, resulting in over 20 fatalities.
Seven eyewitnesses reported that Israeli surveillance drones closely monitored the stairwell and the actions of first responders between attacks.
The investigation identified two of the six people labeled as “terrorists” who were actually hospital workers aiding the rescue operation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing an ICC arrest warrant, referred to the incident as a “tragic mishap.” Whistleblowers emphasized that an attack of this magnitude on a hospital, a protected facility under international law, would have necessitated authorization from at least battalion-level planning.
Kevin Jon Heller, a professor of international law, examined the evidence, concluding that a prosecutor could “reasonably conclude” that the perpetrators committed war crimes by intentionally targeting civilians and launching a disproportionate attack.
The findings were shared with the Israeli military, which declined to respond, stating only that “the review is still ongoing under the General Staff Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism.”
International Development Committee chair and Labour MP Sarah Champion called on the government to ensure the Geneva Convention is upheld, posing challenging questions regarding the perceived legitimacy of targeting journalists.
Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran remarked that the investigation exemplifies the urgent need for a criminal case against Netanyahu and his ministers at the International Criminal Court, stressing that attacks on hospitals and journalists have become alarmingly prevalent.
In her remarks, she highlighted ongoing concerns regarding potentially undisclosed evidence held by Britain, urging the government to proactively share any information pertinent to international courts.
Baroness Helena Kennedy KC expressed serious alarm over the global failure to protect journalists, advocating for an international inquiry into journalist deaths in Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank.
Labour MP Rachael Maskell reiterated the necessity of holding the IDF accountable through international courts, urging the UK government to impose stringent measures against Israel, including trade cessation and heightened sanctions.
A government spokesperson stated: “Israel’s attack on Nasser hospital a year ago was horrific. It is vital that civilians are protected, and that journalists and humanitarian workers be able to carry out their essential work in safety.”
“The Government of Israel must uphold its obligations under international law, ensuring investigations into any potential breaches and accountability for those responsible.”
The unfolding reactions underscore both immediate humanitarian concerns and long-standing issues regarding accountability in conflict zones, as pressure mounts on the government to respond robustly to allegations of war crimes committed during the recent escalation of violence.
