Reuters, AP mourn contributors killed in Gaza strikes

Reuters and the Associated Press said they were devastated after contributors were killed Monday in strikes on Gaza blamed on the Israeli military.

"We are devastated to learn of the death of Reuters contractor Houssam al-Masri and injuries to another of our contractors, Hatem Khaled, in Israeli strikes on the Nasser hospital in Gaza today," a Reuters spokesperson said in a statement.

In a statement, the AP said that it was "shocked and saddened" to learn of the death of Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist who freelanced for the agency since the start of the war.

The strike hit the fourth floor of the hospital in Khan Younis, killing at least 15 people, including 4 journalists, Gaza's civil defense said.

Civil defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal said "the death toll is 15, including four journalists and one civil defense member". Al Jazeera journalist Mohammad Salama was also among the killed.