Not less than 15 individuals, together with 4 journalists working for the worldwide media, are reported to have been killed in an Israeli strike on a hospital within the southern Gaza Strip.
A Reuters cameraman, an Related Press (AP) journalist, and an Al Jazeera photographer had been amongst them. It’s not clear who the fourth journalist labored for.
A number of individuals had been killed in an preliminary strike, and others in a second which occurred as rescuers attended the scene, the Hamas-run Civil Defence stated.
The Israel Protection Forces (IDF) says an investigation is being carried out into its assault on the hospital. It added that it “doesn’t goal journalists as such” – however didn’t give particulars in regards to the strike.
The most recent deaths brings the variety of journalists killed in Gaza for the reason that begin of the struggle there in October 2023 to just about 200.
In line with the Committee to Defend Journalists (CPJ), a number one physique which promotes press freedom, the struggle in Gaza has been the deadliest battle for journalists ever documented. It says extra press members have been killed there up to now two years than had been killed worldwide within the prior three years.
Worldwide journalists have been banned by Israel from coming into the Gaza Strip independently for the reason that begin of the struggle.
Some journalists have been taken into Gaza by the IDF below managed entry, however worldwide media retailers depend on native reporters for a lot of their protection in Gaza.
The Hamas-run well being ministry stated individuals had been killed when a missile hit the fourth ground, adopted by a second missile on the identical spot when rescuers arrived, AP reported.
In video from the scene, a health care provider standing at an entrance to the hospital – the principle one in southern Gaza – holds up bloodied garments to point out journalists following the primary strike. Instantly there’s a blast, sending individuals operating for canopy as glass shatters. A person injured by the blast is seen making an attempt to tug himself to security.
In different footage, white and gray smoke might be seen billowing from an higher degree of the hospital the place injury is obvious. Outdoors, persons are operating and shouting amid chaos, as ambulance horns might be heard.
Reuters information company stated its cameraman, Husam al-Masri, was amongst these killed and Hatem Khaled injured.
The company stated it was devastated and “urgently searching for extra data”.
AP stated Mariam Dagga, a contract journalist working for it, was additionally killed. The information company stated it was “shocked and saddened” by the 33-year-old’s demise.
The others embody Al Jazeera’s Mohammad Salama, and photographer Moaz Abu Taha. US TV community NBC stated Taha didn’t work for it, as had been initially reported.
The Civil Defence stated 15 individuals had been killed, together with certainly one of its members, AFP information company reported.
Monday’s assault comes two weeks after six journalists, together with 4 from Al Jazeera, had been killed in an Israeli targeted attack close to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza Metropolis.
The UN’s human rights office condemned that attack, calling it a grave breach of worldwide regulation.
The IDF stated it had focused Anas al-Sharif, a distinguished Al Jazeera reporter, alleging he had “served as the top of a terrorist cell in Hamas”.
The CPJ stated Israel had failed to supply proof to again up its allegations.
The struggle was triggered by the Hamas-led assault on Israel on 7 October, by which about 1,200 individuals had been killed and 251 others taken to Gaza as hostages.
Israel responded with a large army offensive, which has killed greater than 62,686 Palestinians, in accordance with figures from Gaza’s Hamas-run well being ministry, which the UN considers dependable.
