Inside the Israeli hospital strike that killed Mariam Abu Dagga
The Independent and Independent Arabia have recreated the events surrounding the 25 August, 2025 hospital strike that killed Gaza correspondent Mariam Abu Dagga and at least 19 others.
Mariam was one of more than 20 people, including five journalists, killed by Israeli tank fire as she rushed to report on an earlier strike.
The initial attack had taken place just eight minutes beforehand, killing Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri as he manned his live position at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis.
(Tabeth al Amour/The Independent)
Sam Rkaina23 August 2026 13:40
For Mariam: Independent investigation into Israel strike that killed journalist
Independent Arabia journalist Mariam Abu Dagga was killed in a double-tap attack on Nasser Hospital in Gaza last August.
Based on dozens of witness testimonies, whistleblowers and visual analysis, The Independent has worked on the most comprehensive reconstruction into the deadly strike so far.
Chief international correspondent Bel Trew’s new film traces the life of the respected journalist and raises serious questions for the Israeli government to answer.
For Mariam: Reconstructing the Israeli double-tap strike which killed her
Sam Rkaina23 August 2026 13:00
Iran discovers over 7.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, oil minister says
Iran has discovered over 7.5 trillion cubic feet of gas in a field south of its Fars Province, Tehran’s oil minister Mohsen Paknejad has said.
Fars is a region in the south west of the country, measuring some 122,000 km2.
Sam Rkaina23 August 2026 12:18
Recap: Israel faces backlash over building of gallows site for hanging Palestinians
Israel’s far right national security minister is facing a major backlash over the construction of a gallows site to execute Palestinians sentenced to death at a prison in Israel.
Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video online showing the construction of the facility in an unidentified location, which will include viewing booths for the family members of victims to witness executions.
It follows the passage of a highly controversial “Death Penalty for Terrorists Law” earlier this year that made death by hanging a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar23 August 2026 09:00
Two US tanker aircraft leave Bulgaria
Two US Air Force KC-135 tanker aircraft have left Bulgaria’s Bezmer air base after the deployment reportedly angered Iran.
Iran said at the time that their deployment would constitute complicity in “aggression and war crimes”, a charge that Sofia dismissed.
The two KC-135 planes left Bulgaria on Friday, defence minister Dimitar Stoyanov told reporters.
The deployment of the aircraft, approved by Bulgaria’s parliament on 22 July, led to protests by nearby residents who feared the planes would be attacked by Iranian missiles and drones.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar23 August 2026 08:30
Trump again claims Hormuz as ‘new US territory’
US president Donald Trump has yet again claimed that the Strait of Hormuz was a “new US territory” ahead of imposing what he called “toughest sanctions in history” on Iran.
Trump also amplified a claim by commentator Marc Thiessen that more than 1,000 ships had been escorted through the strait.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar23 August 2026 08:00
Iran executes man for colluding with Israel
Iran has executed a protester arrested during the nationwide agitation in January, Mizan News reported this morning.
Majid Adineh was accused of taking “operational action” for Israel, the US and hostile groups, while working against Iran’s security, according to the state media.
Adineh was arrested on 9 January in Mohammadshahr, near the central city of Karaj.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar23 August 2026 07:30
Chile will shutter its embassy in Iran by the end of August but will not sever its diplomatic ties with Tehran, the Chilean foreign ministry said.
The ministry said the reshuffle was aimed at streamlining diplomatic resources while protecting diplomats as instability continues to grip the Middle East.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar23 August 2026 07:00
Iran threatens Trump with ‘earthquake-like’ retaliation
Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei has threatened “earthquake-like” retaliation should US president Donald Trump take any further action.
Trump said earlier this week that he would impose a “most crushing economic operation” against Tehran as the war nears its six-month anniversary.
Should Trump “take action, our confrontation will be like an earthquake,” said Rezaei.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar23 August 2026 06:30
Israel drops proceedings over airstrike on Gaza convoy that killed Polish volunteer
Poland’s foreign ministry has summoned Israel’s ambassador in Warsaw, expressing that it was “very disappointed” after Israel decided against pursuing criminal proceedings over a 2024 attack on a volunteer convoy in Gaza that killed a Polish citizen.
Damian Sobol, a volunteer from Przemysl in southeastern Poland, was among seven individuals working for celebrity chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen who died in the April 2024 central Gaza airstrike, an incident that prompted an international outcry.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar23 August 2026 06:00