Israel’s killing of five media staff in Gaza prompts global outrage and calls for accountability.
An outpouring of grief and condemnation has followed the Israeli assassination of five media staff in Gaza, including prominent correspondent Anas al-Sharif.
The drone attack late on Sunday hit a tent for journalists positioned outside the main gate of Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital, killing seven people. Among the dead were media correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa and Mohammed Noufal.
A sixth journalist, Mohammad al-Khaldi, a local freelance reporter, was also reported killed in the air attack. Reporters Without Borders said three more journalists were wounded in the same strike.
Just hours earlier, al-Sharif, 28, had posted on X about Israel’s “intense, concentrated bombardment” on eastern and southern Gaza City. Known for his fearless reporting from northern Gaza, he had become one of the most recognisable voices documenting the ongoing Israeli genocide in the enclave.
The media Media Network has condemned what it called a “targeted assassination” of its journalists.
Below are some of the responses to the killing of media staff:
The Palestinian mission to the United Nations accused Israel of “deliberately assassinating” al-Sharif and Qreiqeh, describing them as among the “last remaining journalists” in Gaza.
“They have systematically and dutifully exposed and documented Israel’s genocide and starvation,” the mission said on X. “As Israel continues to ethnically cleanse Gaza, its enemy remains the truth: the brave journalists exposing its heinous crimes.”
It called on the UN Security Council and the international community to condemn the killings and take immediate action to hold Israeli leaders accountable for what it called war crimes.
It added that al-Sharif had been a “symbol of free journalism”, documenting scenes of famine in Gaza and the impact of Israel’s crippling siege.
Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmail Baghaei has called on the world to hold Israel to account after the killing of the five media staff.
“A press badge is no shield against genocidal war criminals who fear the world witnessing their atrocities,” said Baghaei, accusing Israel of assassinating the journalists “in cold blood”.
“Strong condemnation is the bare minimum for any decent human being, but the world must act immediately to stop this harrowing genocide and hold the criminals accountable,” he added.
Palestine
“Indifference and inaction are complicity in Israel’s crimes.”
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, has strongly criticised Israel over the killing of media journalists in Gaza, calling it a shocking violation of press freedom.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, offered condolences to “the media family” and called for an investigation.
“We have always been very clear in condemning all killings of journalists,” Dujarric said. “In Gaza, and everywhere, media workers should be able to carry out their work freely and without harassment, intimidation or fear of being targeted.”
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, said in a post on X: “The Israeli Army continues to silence voices reporting atrocities from Gaza.”
“I am horrified by the killing of another 5 journalists in Gaza city. Since the war began, more than 200 Palestinian journalists have been reported killed in total impunity.”
“Israel is also blocking access of international journalists to report independently since the war began nearly two years ago. Journalists must be protected and international media must get into Gaza to support the heroic work of their Palestinian colleagues. This is the only way to counter disinformation and prevent doubts about the scale of atrocities committed in Gaza.”
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the killing of six Palestinian journalists in Gaza, saying the actions by Israel’s military represented a “grave breach of international humanitarian law”.
“Israel must respect and protect all civilians, including journalists,” the office said in a post on X.
“We call for immediate, safe and unhindered access to Gaza for all journalists.”
The media Media Network has condemned “in the strongest terms” the killing of its journalists in a targeted assassination by Israeli forces.
In a statement, the network said the Israeli military “admitted to their crimes” and deliberately directed the attack at the journalists’ location. It called the assassination “another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom”.
The strike came amid what media described as the “catastrophic consequences” of Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, including mass civilian deaths, forced starvation, and the destruction of entire communities.
United Arab Emirates Dirham Exchange Rate
