Background and Context
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has had a devastating impact on journalists, with nearly 200 reporters losing their lives over the past two years, according to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Who are the Journalists?
Five journalists, including those working for Al Jazeera, Reuters, and AP, tragically lost their lives in an Israeli bombing targeting a hospital area near Gaza City on Monday. Among them were reporters from Al Jazeera, Reuters, and the Associated Press (AP).
The Incident
The Israeli military acknowledged conducting an attack near the Nasser Hospital in Jan Yunis, southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 20 people, including five journalists and a civil defense member, as reported by Mahmud Basal, the spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense.
Reactions and Investigations
The attack has sparked international condemnation. Al Jazeera strongly denounced the incident, calling it “a horrific crime” committed by Israeli occupation forces targeting journalists as part of a systematic campaign to silence the truth.
Reuters expressed grief over the death of their collaborator Husam al Masri and injuries to another, Hatem Jaled. Similarly, Al Jazeera mourned the loss of cameraman Mohamed Salama.
Impact on Press Freedom
This incident adds to a growing list of journalist fatalities in Gaza. Just two weeks prior, four Al Jazeera reporters and two collaborators were killed in a targeted attack by Israeli forces, who accused one of them of being a member of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate identified the other two deceased journalists as Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmad Abu Aziz. Hasan Douhan also died on Monday in another Israeli attack near Al Mawasi, close to Jan Yunis.
The Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem demanded immediate explanations from the Israeli military and government regarding these attacks, urging them to cease their practice of targeting journalists.
International Response
Given the restrictions imposed by Israel on media in Gaza and the challenges accessing the ground, AFP cannot independently verify casualty figures or military claims.
Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, reiterated that journalists and hospitals are not military targets.
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s director, denounced the attack as silencing “the last voices that denounce the silent death of children victimized by famine.”
French President Emmanuel Macron called the bombing “unacceptable” and urged Israel to respect international law.
British Chancellor David Lammy expressed horror at the attack, and Germany called for an investigation.
Conflict Overview
The attack that triggered the Gaza conflict occurred on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians. Israel’s offensive in Gaza has left at least 62,744 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, a figure verified by the UN.
