Today, Thursday, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate and the Center for the Protection of Palestinian Journalists condemned the death of 5 Palestinian journalists in an Israeli bombing that targeted a broadcast vehicle in front of Al Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip. They were Fadi Hassouna, Ibrahim Sheikh Ali, Muhammad Al-Ladah, Faisal Abu Al-Qumsan, and Ayman Al-Jadi.
In its statement, the union described the attack as a “heinous massacre,” and said that it comes as part of a series of systematic targeting against Palestinian journalists, with the aim of obliterating the truth and restricting freedom of expression. She pointed out that more than 190 journalists and media professionals have been martyred since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, describing this as a war crime in accordance with international conventions.
The union stressed that this targeting constitutes a flagrant violation of human rights and freedom of the press, calling on the international community and human rights organizations to provide urgent protection for Palestinian journalists and take measures to stop these crimes. The union also called on international media organizations to shed light on the suffering of Palestinian journalists and ensure that the occupation is held accountable.
For its part, the Center for the Protection of Palestinian Journalists stressed that the attack represents a clear war crime, and reflects Israel’s intention to silence the voice of the press in Gaza. The center warned that international silence encourages Israel to continue its violations, which weakens confidence in the international system for protecting human rights.
According to a statement issued by the government media office in Gaza, the number of journalists martyred since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023 has risen to 201, with hundreds injured and dozens arrested.
Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has been subjected to an Israeli genocidal war that has caused the death and injury of more than 153,000 people, most of them children and women, in addition to massive destruction and famine that has claimed the lives of dozens, amid international disregard for the violations.