Africa & World

Israeli airstrikes on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza killed four journalists on Monday, including a freelancer for The Associated Press, according to health officials.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that two missiles struck the hospital in Khan Younis, leaving 19 people dead. Among the victims was Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist who had freelanced for the AP and other media outlets during the war.

In a statement, the AP said it was “shocked and saddened” by Dagga’s death, along with those of the other journalists.

Al Jazeera confirmed that its journalist, Mohammed Salam, was also killed in the strike. Reuters said its contractor cameraman, Hussam al-Masri, died, while contractor photographer Hatem Khaled was wounded. The identity of the fourth journalist killed was not immediately confirmed.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) described the Israel-Hamas war as one of the deadliest conflicts for media workers. At least 192 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war began 22 months ago, compared with 18 in Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to CPJ figures.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods in response to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil — a major funding source for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

The new tariff, which takes effect in three weeks, will be applied on top of another 25 percent duty scheduled to come into force on Thursday. Existing exemptions for products already covered by sector-specific tariffs, such as steel and aluminum, will remain in place, as will exclusions for sensitive categories including pharmaceuticals.

The move marks a significant escalation in Washington’s efforts to pressure countries maintaining energy ties with Russia, even as it risks straining trade relations with India.

Israel launched a large-scale airstrike on Iran early Friday, targeting approximately 100 sites including nuclear facilities and military command centres. The strikes resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami, according to Iranian media.

Among the key targets was Iran’s Natanz atomic facility, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as central to Tehran’s nuclear enrichment programme. “These strikes will continue as many days as it takes,” Netanyahu stated, warning that intelligence indicated Iran was nearing the “point of no return” in its nuclear development.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation sent a “strong and clear message,” asserting that individuals involved in efforts to destroy Israel would be “eliminated.”

In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a “bitter and painful” retaliation. The Iranian military declared there would be “no limits” to its response, and later launched about 100 drones toward Israel. The Israeli military reported that its air defences intercepted the drones outside Israeli territory.

Neighbouring Jordan also reported intercepting drones and missiles that had violated its airspace, with air raid sirens sounding in the capital, Amman.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News he had prior knowledge of the Israeli strikes, while emphasising that Iran “cannot have a nuclear bomb.” The U.S. government, however, stated it was not involved in the operation and warned Tehran against targeting American personnel or interests.

Iran dismissed the U.S. denial, saying the scale and coordination of the Israeli strikes could not have occurred without Washington’s involvement. “The United States will be held responsible for the consequences,” Tehran stated.