Leaders, journalist groups react to Israeli Gaza strike that killed five journalists

(Reuters) -World leaders and journalist groups reacted to an Israeli strike on Monday at Gaza Strip's Nasser hospital that killed at least 20 people, including five journalists who worked for Reuters, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and others.

COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS:

"The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Israeli strikes that killed five journalists in Nasser hospital in southern Gaza and calls for the international community to hold Israel accountable for its continued unlawful attacks on the press."

PALESTINIAN JOURNALISTS SYNDICATE:

"The Syndicate affirmed that this heinous crime represents a dangerous escalation in the direct and deliberate targeting of Palestinian journalists and confirms without a shadow of a doubt that the occupation is waging an open war on free media, with the aim of terrorizing journalists and preventing them from carrying out their professional mission of exposing its crimes to the world."

U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP:

“When did this happen?”

“I didn't know that. Well, I’m not happy about it. I don't want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare.”

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON:

"This is intolerable: civilians and journalists must be protected in all circumstances. The media must be able to carry out their mission freely and independently to cover the reality of the conflict."

QATARI MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

"In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the occupation forces' targeting of journalists and relief and medical workers requires urgent and decisive international action to provide the necessary protection for civilians and ensure that the perpetrators of these atrocities do not escape punishment."

UNITED NATIONS SPOKESPERSON STEPHANE DUJARRIC:

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing of Palestinians today in Israeli strikes that hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Those killed in addition to civilians included medical personnel and journalists.

"These latest horrific killings highlight the extreme risks that medical personnel and journalists face as they carry out their vital work amid this brutal conflict.

"The Secretary-General recalls that civilians, including medical personnel and journalists, must be respected and protected at all times. He calls for a prompt, and impartial investigation into these killings."

JEROME GRIMAUD, MSF EMERGENCY COORDINATOR IN GAZA:

"For the past 22 months, we have watched as healthcare facilities have been levelled, journalists silenced, and healthcare workers buried beneath the rubble by the Israeli forces. As Israel continues to shun international law, the only witnesses of their genocidal campaign are deliberately being targeted. It must stop now.”

RAVINA SHAMDASANI, CHIEF SPOKESPERSON FOR U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VOLKER TURK:

"The killing of journalists in Gaza should shock the world – not into stunned silence – but into action, demanding accountability and justice."

WHO DIRECTOR-GENERAL TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS:

"While people in #Gaza are being starved, their already limited access to health care is being further crippled by repeated attacks."

"We cannot say it loudly enough: STOP attacks on health care. Ceasefire now!

UNRWA CHIEF PHILIPPE LAZZARINI:

"Silencing the last remaining voices reporting about children dying silently and #famine with the world’s indifference & inaction is shocking....Let us undo this manmade famine by: - opening the gates without restrictions - protecting journalists & humanitarian + health workers Time for political will. Not tomorrow, now."

JERUSALEM-BASED FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION:

"We demand an immediate explanation from the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. We call on Israel once and for all to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists....We appeal to international leaders: do everything you can to protect our colleagues. We cannot do it ourselves."

(Reporting by Reuters journalists; Compiled by Howard Goller; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)