Israel struck Nasser Hospital at least four times during its deadly attack in southern Gaza on Monday, an analysis of new video footage by BBC Verify has found.
The attack, which has attracted international condemnation and widespread anger, reportedly killed at least 20 people, including five journalists.
Initial reports from Gaza said that Israel had struck the hospital twice, with the first blast followed nine minutes later by another which hit first responders and journalists who arrived at the scene.
However, new analysis suggests the hospital was struck four times in total. BBC Verify and expert analysis found that two staircases were hit almost simultaneously in the first wave, and while what was thought to be a single later attack was in fact two separate strikes hitting the same place within a fraction of a second.
Israel does not allow international journalists to enter Gaza independently. BBC Verify identified the additional strikes by analysing dozens of videos provided by a freelancer on the ground and material filmed by eyewitnesses that circulated online.
In the first incident, an Israeli strike hit the exterior staircase on the hospital's eastern side at 10:08 local time (07:08 GMT), killing journalist Hussam Al-Masri who was operating a live TV feed for Reuters. Additional evidence revealed another previously unreported blast at a northern wing staircase at practically the same time, overshadowed by the "double-tap" strike on the eastern staircase.
New footage shows smoke rising and damage at both staircases, while emergency workers said the hospital's operating department was also hit.
Roughly nine minutes later, while dozens of first responders and journalists gathered on the eastern staircase, Israeli forces struck the facility again. Frame-by-frame analysis of newly emerged footage clearly shows that two separate projectiles fired by Israeli forces hit the hospital milliseconds apart.
Experts disagree on the type of munition used. Some analysts identified the projectiles as Lahat missiles, while others suggested that the possible munition characterized by the pattern of flight and impact indicated a multi-purpose tank gun projectile.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated they had no additional comment regarding the newly identified strikes. Israel's narrative has been inconsistent, initially downplaying the attack's scale and later acknowledging responsibility while expressing regret.
With at least 247 journalists reported killed in Gaza since October 7, this incident is part of a broader narrative of escalating violence amidst the ongoing conflict. The attack raises serious questions about compliance with international law, particularly concerning the protection of civilians during military operations.