Germany’s Merz says he doesn’t believe Israeli strike on Gaza hospital targeted journalists

By Reuters and ToI Staff 26 August 2025, 5:52 pm

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Friedrich Merz delivers his first speech as German chancellor in the parliament in Berlin, Germany, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he does not believe at this time that an Israeli attack on a hospital in Gaza that killed at least 20 people was targeting journalists.

“But the Israeli army and the Israeli government have both promised to launch a comprehensive investigation into this incident,” Merz says at a press conference in Berlin.

“And I would like to wait for the results of this investigation before making a final judgment,” he adds.

Israel struck Nasser hospital in the south of the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 20 people, including five journalists who worked for international outlets.

Germany’s Foreign Office said Monday that it was “shocked” by the strike, and urged an investigation.