Five journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck their vehicle in the vicinity of Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat in central Gaza, said the enclave's health authorities. The scribes worked for the Al-Quds Al-Youm television channel. 


According to Palestinian media and local reports, the vehicle was marked as a media van and was used by journalists to report from inside the hospital and Nuseirat camp reported Reuters.


Footage from the scene circulating on social media shows a vehicle engulfed in flames. In one of the videos posted online, the word "press" could be seen written in large red lettering across the back of the white-coloured van. 


The deceased journalists have been identified as Fadi Hassouna, Ibrahim al-Sheikh Ali, Mohammed al-Ladah, Faisal Abu al-Qumsan and Ayman al-Jadi, reported Al Jazeera. 






One of the slain journalists, Ayman al-Jadi has been waiting for his wife in front of the hospital while she was in labour to give birth to their first child, according to the Al Jazeera report. 


The bodies of the victims were recovered by civil defence teams and the flames were doused at the scene. There was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities. 


In a separate incident, five people were killed and 20 wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighbourhood, according to the medics, reported Reuters. They warned that the death toll could rise as many remained trapped under the rubble. 


On Wednesday, Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Israel traded blame over failing to conclude a ceasefire agreement despite reported progress by both sides in past days.