The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned Israeli airstrikes that killed at least five journalists at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, on Monday, urging the international community to hold Israel accountable for “continued unlawful attacks on the press.”
The victims were identified as Hussam Al-Masri, a Reuters contractor; Mohammed Salama, an Al Jazeera camera operator; Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelance photojournalist with Independent Arabia and the Associated Press; Ahmed Abu Aziz, a freelance journalist contributing to Quds Feed; and Moaz Abu Taha, a freelance video journalist.
CPJ said Al-Masri died in the first strike, while the others were killed while covering its aftermath. At least 20 people died in the twin strikes, and several others, including journalists Jamal Baddah of Palestine Today TV, photographer Hatem Khaled, a Reuters contractor, and freelance photographer Mohammed Fayeq, were injured.
“Israel killed at least five journalists in Nasser Hospital on Monday morning. Israel’s broadcasted killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. “These murders must end now. The perpetrators must no longer be allowed to act with impunity.”
CPJ reports that at least 197 journalists and media workers have been killed since the start of the Israel-Gaza war, 189 of them Palestinians.
Israel’s Israel Hayom newspaper quoted a security source claiming the strike aimed to neutralise a camera on the hospital roof allegedly used by Hamas to monitor Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations. “The forces received permission to neutralise the camera, but the incident escalated into a wider incident,” the source said.
Reuters confirmed that its live feed from the hospital, operated by Al-Masri, cut off at the time of the first strike.
IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Chief of Staff General Eyal Zamir had ordered an investigation. He added, “the IDF expresses regret for any injury to uninvolved personnel. It does not target journalists as such and works as much as possible to minimise harm to them, while continuing to maintain the security of its forces.”
Background
The war has become one of the deadliest periods for journalists in recent history, sparking renewed calls for independent investigations and stronger measures to protect media workers in conflict zones.
