Trump says 'not happy' about Israeli strikes on Gaza hospital that killed 20

WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump expressed displeasure Monday at a series of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza's Nasser Medical Complex that killed 20 people, including five journalists and a firefighter.

"I'm not happy about it. I don't want to see it," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "At the same time, we have to end that nightmare. I'm the one that got the hostages out."

The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed that 20 Palestinians, including patients, health workers, civil defense personnel, and press crews, were killed, while several others were injured in the attack.

The ministry said the Israeli army hit the fourth floor of one of the complex’s buildings with two airstrikes, noting that the second strike occurred as rescue teams arrived to evacuate the wounded and recover the dead.

Official Palestine TV reported that among the deceased was its cameraman Hussam al-Masri, while Qatari channel Al Jazeera confirmed that its photographer Mohammad Salama was also killed.

A medical source confirmed to Anadolu the death of photojournalist Mariam Abu Dagga. Photojournalist Moaz Abu Taha was also killed in the Israeli strikes targeting the hospital.

Medical sources also told Anadolu that Ahmed Abu Aziz, a freelance reporter with Tunisian and Moroccan news sites, died of injuries he sustained in the Israeli strikes.

Trump further said that he believes "a little bit less than 20" hostages are being held in Gaza remain alive, suggesting that "one or two are gone."

"When we get down to that final 10 or 20, these people aren't going to release them, because they're dead after they release them. So, it's a nasty situation, very nasty, horrible thing," he said.

It is unclear what the US president was basing his assessment on. Israel has previously said that about 50 hostages remain in Gaza, including 20 who are believed to be alive.

Later addressing reporters while hosting South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Trump voiced optimism that an end to the conflict would soon be reached. Trump said he believes the war is "coming to a head. It's coming to an end."

"I think that we will have, I think the next two to three weeks, you're going to have a pretty good, conclusive, conclusive ending," Trump said.

"Right now, they're talking about Gaza City. They're always about something. It's going to get settled. And I'm saying you better get it settled soon. You have to get it settled soon," he added, referring to the Israeli government's stated aim of occupying Gaza's largest city.

Israel has killed more than 62,700 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.