Tragedy Strikes Gaza: Journalists Targeted in Deadly Airstrike
In a devastating incident early this morning, two journalists lost their lives, and at least eight others were injured as an Israeli airstrike struck a tent designated for workers of the Palestinian News Agency in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. According to medical and journalistic sources in the region, the deceased have been identified as Hilmi Al Faqawi, a dedicated journalist, and Yousef Al Jazindar, who was both an assistant driver and photojournalist.
The Palestinian Center for the Protection of Journalists (CPJP) reported that several journalists were injured in this attack, including Ahmed Mansour, Hassan Islih, Ahmed Al Agha, Mohammad Faiq, Abdullah Al Attar, Ihab Al Bardini, Mahmoud Awad, Majed Qadeih, and Ali Islih.
Eyewitness Ibrahim Qanan, a Gaza journalist and director of the Journalists of Nasser organization, detailed that the drone strike occurred at 1 AM local time, targeting the tent situated in front of the Nasser medical complex where numerous international and local media journalists were stationed. This area hosts over 45 tents assigned to reporters, and the missile struck directly at the Palestinian News Agency's working team. Qanan recounted the horrific explosion and ensuing fire that followed the attack, emphasizing the chaos that ensued and the unfortunate loss of an additional life due to shrapnel from the strike, which destroyed several journalists' tents nearby.
With nearly 300 journalists actively covering events in Gaza for various news outlets, Qanan implicated Israel in what he described as an attempt at mass violence against journalists. He clarified that all victims were solely journalists, devoid of any political alignments or affiliations.
This tragic event comes in the wake of another attack, which claimed the life of a young child in the Al Najar family during an earlier assault in central Khan Younis, highlighting the escalating violence in the region. In light of these circumstances, journalists and advocates are demanding immediate action from global entities, including the International Federation of Journalists and the United Nations, urging them to pressure Israel to cease its ongoing aggression against the Palestinian press.
The CPJP has strongly condemned the airstrike, labeling it a clear violation of international humanitarian law. The death toll for journalists amid Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has tragically reached approximately 211 since hostilities began on October 7, 2023.
While Israel asserts that slain journalist Hossam Shabat was affiliated with Hamas based on his alleged involvement in the organization's documents, this claim remains a subject of contention. Shabat, who was killed at 23, had been recognized as a prominent journalistic figure in Gaza, having participated in military training several years prior. The underlying context of such allegations adds complexity to the unfolding humanitarian crisis and the precarious situation of journalists operating in conflict zones.
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