DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike took the lives of five Palestinian journalists outside Al-Awda Hospital early Thursday morning, according to the Health Ministry. The military claimed it had targeted fighters from the militant group Islamic Jihad, stating the journalists were affiliated with them. The strike, which occurred at approximately 1:05 AM, left the press vehicle incinerated and the journalists trapped inside.
The victims, who were working for Al-Quds Today, included Ayman Nihad Al-Jadi, Faisal Abdullah Abu Al-Qumsan, Ibrahim Jamal Al-Sheikh Ali, Fadi Ihab Hassouna, and Mohammed Iyad Al-Ladah. They were reported to be waiting near their vehicle for news from the hospital—Al-Jadi's wife was giving birth. Eyewitness Momen Al-Qrenawi, who was present at the scene, described the horror as the van was engulfed by flames. “I heard a loud explosion… I saw flames engulfing the broadcast vehicle, with my colleagues trapped inside,” he recounted.
This tragic event adds to the dire statistics of journalist fatalities reported during the conflict, with the Committee to Protect Journalists stating over 130 Palestinian reporters have been killed since the onset of the war. Documents from Al Mezan noted the deliberate targeting of journalists, citing 231 killed since October 2023, including 28 women. Many are horrified at how easily the line between military action and press safety is blurred.
The international community has been called to respond, particularly as reports indicate systematic attacks on journalists, with many being clearly identifiable by their press credentials. “Under international law, journalists must be protected,” Al Mezan stated, demanding action to halt the killings and hold responsible parties accountable.
The Israeli military has continually justified such actions, alleging the journalists were terrorists posing as media workers. This claim has been met with skepticism and outrage, particularly since foreign reporters have been barred from entering Gaza, leaving local journalists to document the conflict under perilous conditions.
During the mourning for the slain journalists, many reacted with sorrow mixed with outrage. Funerals saw young men weeping as they attended, bodies draped with blue press vests, symbols of their profession.
Reports from the Gaza Strip indicate the continuous and ruthless air and ground offensive by Israeli forces has claimed over 45,000 Palestinian lives, with estimates indicating more than half are women and children. Despite these staggering numbers, official statements from Israeli forces insist they are targeting militants, with assertions of having killed over 17,000 members of militant groups without corroborative evidence.
The atmosphere of fear and helplessness continues, as many journalists cannot safely report on the harsh realities and human tragedies occurring daily. The targeting of the journalists has raised alarms globally about the state of press freedom and the safety of media workers involved.
Anas al-Sharif, another journalist, lamented the loss of Al-Jadi, who waited anxiously for the arrival of his newborn child. “He had recently married and was filled with hope… tragically, Israel took his life just hours before he could hold his baby for the first time,” al-Sharif mourned.
The incessant military operations have devastated the population, displacing around 90% of the 2.3 million residents of Gaza. Many have found refuge within makeshift tents subjected to harsh weather. Humanitarian organizations are overwhelmed and struggling to meet the desperate needs of the population.
The military campaign began following deadly incursions by Hamas militants across the Israeli border, igniting retaliatory strikes. Since then, the situation has escalated, drawing enormous civilian suffering with each passing day.
Pledges from various organizations urge active engagement from the international community to restore safety to journalists, uphold international laws, and protect human rights for all civilians caught within the conflict zone.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called attention to the “ongoing genocide” against Palestinian journalists, highlighting historical patterns of targeting media professionals. They stress this is part of broader efforts to suppress factual reporting and maintain control over narratives surrounding the conflict.
