Israel has launched a series of attacks on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, with local health authorities reporting at least 20 people have been killed.
The second strike on the fourth floor of the facility in Khan Younis was broadcast live on television, as rescue crews scoured the building to evacuate people killed and injured from the first strike minutes earlier.
Palestinian health officials are reporting four of those killed are journalists, with local media reporting two were killed in the initial strike and two in the second while assessing the damage.
Cameraman Hussam al-Masri was a contractor for Reuters. Photographer Hatem Khaled, who was also a Reuters contractor, was wounded, the officials said.
The second strike hit on the live broadcast as the reporter was saying that al-Masri had been killed.
The Hamas government media office said it was another example of "the systematic targeting, killing, and assassination of Palestinian journalists" by Israeli forces and brought the death toll to 244.
According to the media office, the three other journalists were Mariam Abu Daqqa, Moaz Abu Taha, and Mohammed Salama.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not immediately respond to the ABC's questions about the attacks.
It later released a short statement admitting "IDF troops carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital" and said an "initial inquiry will be conducted".
"The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. The IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of IDF troops."
AP said it was "shocked and saddened to learn" Abu Daqqa had been killed. The journalist had a 12-year-old son who was evacuated from Gaza earlier in the war.
"Mariam regularly based herself at the hospital for coverage," the agency said in a statement.
"Her recent work included strong stories of starving and malnourished children in Gaza. She freelanced for the AP and other news outlets.
"We are doing everything we can to keep our journalists in Gaza safe as they continue to provide crucial eyewitness reporting in difficult and dangerous conditions."
Journalists regularly congregate near hospitals in Gaza, given they are some of the few facilities with semi-regular power and internet access.
In a statement the ministry said medical personnel, patients and civil defence personnel were also among those killed, in addition to dozens of injuries.
"The bombing has caused panic and chaos, disrupted operations in the operating room, and deprived patients and the wounded of their right to treatment," it said in a statement.
"[It's] a continuation of the systematic destruction of the health system and the continuation of genocide. It is a message of defiance to the entire world and to all values ??of humanity and justice."
"The Ministry of Health issues a distress call to protect what remains of health services and calls on the international community and all concerned institutions to take immediate and urgent action to protect humanitarian personnel in Gaza."
"The international silence and failure to take real measures to curb the occupation and stop its crimes is an effective partnership and a declaration that this crime will continue."
Khan Younis's Nasser Hospital, the largest in southern Gaza, has withstood raids and bombardment throughout 22 months of war, with officials citing critical shortages of supplies and staff.
Israeli strikes and raids on hospitals are not uncommon. Multiple hospitals have been struck or raided across the Gaza Strip, with Israel claiming its attacks had targeted militants operating inside the medical facilities, without providing evidence.
A June strike on Nasser Hospital killed three people and wounded 10, according to the health ministry.
At the time, Israel's military said it had targeted Hamas militants operating from a command and control centre inside the hospital.
The war began when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages.
At least 62,686 Palestinians have been killed since, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health. It does not distinguish between fighters and civilians but says around half have been women and children.
