Israeli Strike Kills Five Palestinian Journalists
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike killed five Palestinian journalists outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip overnight, the Health Ministry confirmed early Thursday. The Israeli military claimed it had targeted a group of militants in the attack.
The strike occurred outside the Al-Awda Hospital, located in the Nuseirat refugee camp, which is situated in the central Gaza Strip. The journalists were part of the local Quds News Network, an outlet that has been active in covering events in Gaza.
The Israeli military’s statement indicated that the airstrike aimed at a group of fighters affiliated with Islamic Jihad, a militant group allied with Hamas. Islamic Jihad’s fighters are believed to have been involved in hostilities, including the Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel, which ignited the ongoing conflict. However, images from the scene, captured by the Associated Press, showed the incinerated remains of a van marked with press insignia, emphasizing the unfortunate targeting of journalists in the strike.
In a solemn scene outside the hospital, several young men attended the funeral of the slain journalists. The bodies, wrapped in white shrouds, were draped with blue press vests, symbolizing the tragic loss of lives dedicated to the journalistic profession. Witnesses at the funeral expressed their grief with visible emotion, as they paid respects to the deceased reporters.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, more than 130 Palestinian reporters have been killed since the beginning of the conflict. Israel has restricted foreign media access to Gaza, allowing reporters to enter only under military supervision. Furthermore, Israel has banned the pan-Arab news network Al Jazeera, accusing six of its Gaza-based reporters of being militants. Al Jazeera has denied these accusations and accused Israel of attempting to silence its coverage, which has been focused on civilian casualties during Israeli military operations in Gaza.
Additionally, the Israeli military confirmed that a 35-year-old reserve soldier died during combat operations in central Gaza. This brings the total number of Israeli military casualties since the ground operation began over a year ago to 389 soldiers.
The ongoing war, which was sparked by a Hamas-led attack on Israeli territories, has already claimed over 45,000 Palestinian lives, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. The casualties include a significant number of women and children, with the precise number of militant deaths unclear. Israel, however, claims that over 17,000 militants have been killed, although they have not provided definitive evidence to substantiate these figures.
The devastating offensive has led to widespread destruction, forcing about 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people from their homes. A large number of displaced individuals have sought refuge in overcrowded tent camps along the Gaza coast, enduring harsh winter conditions without adequate protection.
This tragic event highlights the dire situation faced by journalists in conflict zones and the broader humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold in Gaza, with no clear resolution in sight.
