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Hamas condemns Israel for killing journalists, urges accountability

A view of the damaged cars after the Israeli strike targeted a hotel where the journalists were staying in Hasbaiyya town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on October 25, 2024.  (AA Photo)
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A view of the damaged cars after the Israeli strike targeted a hotel where the journalists were staying in Hasbaiyya town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on October 25, 2024. (AA Photo)
October 28, 2024 12:16 PM GMT+03:00

Hamas condemned Israel for its actions against journalists and urged the international community to hold the Israeli government accountable for making Palestinian journalists "targets for murder and revenge."

In a statement, Hamas denounced the Israeli military's killing of five journalists in a single day in the Gaza Strip. The group emphasized that these attacks will not intimidate Palestinian journalists, who will continue to report on Israel's crimes.

Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh attends the funeral of his son and fellow journalist, Hamza, who was killed with colleague Mustafa Thuraya by an Israeli strike in January 2024 (Courtesy of New Lines)Relative bids farewell during the funeral of Palestine TV journalist Mohamed Abu Hatab and 11 family members, the day after they were killed in an Israeli bombardment of Khan Yunis in November 2023 (ICIJ)
Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh attends the funeral of his son and fellow journalist, Hamza, who was killed with colleague Mustafa Thuraya by an Israeli strike in January 2024 (Courtesy of New Lines)Relative bids farewell during the funeral of Palestine TV journalist Mohamed Abu Hatab and 11 family members, the day after they were killed in an Israeli bombardment of Khan Yunis in November 2023 (ICIJ)

Israel's systematic targeting of journalists

The statement also highlighted the systematic and intentional targeting of journalists by the Israeli army in Gaza, describing these actions as "unprecedented crimes" meant to instill fear and deter journalists from exposing the realities of ongoing atrocities.

It stated, "The fascist Israeli government must be held accountable for turning Palestinian journalists into targets for murder and revenge. The international community and organizations must take serious steps to stop these attacks."

Hamas called on international media organizations to condemn the crimes against Palestinian journalists and to stand in solidarity with them in exposing Israel's actions.

Israeli police are seen attacking the TRT Haber team in Jerusalem, which was covering the developments in the region, Jerusalem, Palestine, Nov. 17, 2023. (Photo by TRT Haber)Israeli forces targeted the TRT Haber crew at Al-Aqsa Mosque before Friday prayers (Courtesy of TRT Haber)
Israeli police are seen attacking the TRT Haber team in Jerusalem, which was covering the developments in the region, Jerusalem, Palestine, Nov. 17, 2023. (Photo by TRT Haber)Israeli forces targeted the TRT Haber crew at Al-Aqsa Mosque before Friday prayers (Courtesy of TRT Haber)

Israel targets Turkish media outlets

Turkish media outlets are also in Israel's crosshairs. AA photographer Mostafa Alkharouf was attacked by Israeli security forces while covering news in occupied East Jerusalem on Dec. 15, 2023. He is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. Following the incident, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir promised to facilitate Alkharouf's swift return to work.

TRT Arabi reporter Sami Barhoum shows the car window damaged as a result of an Israeli attack in Khan Younis, Gaza on Aug. 18, 2024. (AA Photo)
TRT Arabi reporter Sami Barhoum shows the car window damaged as a result of an Israeli attack in Khan Younis, Gaza on Aug. 18, 2024. (AA Photo)

Additionally, on Nov. 17, 2023, the Turkish state channel TRT Haber team was assaulted by Israeli police while reporting on developments in Jerusalem. The police physically intervened with the TRT team and damaged their camera. On July 26, 2024, while Israeli soldiers targeted individuals heading to prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, they also attacked a TRT team, resulting in injuries to a reporter.

These incidents highlight the ongoing targeting of media workers by Israeli forces and underscore the need for a stronger international response.

According to a statement from the Gaza government's Media Office, five journalists were reported dead due to Israeli attacks carried out Sunday. Since the onset of Israel's assaults on Oct. 7, 2023, the number of journalists killed in the Gaza Strip has risen to 182.

People examine the ruined area of Ibn al-Haitham school, which was used as shelter by displaced Palestinians, after Israeli attacks in Shujaiya neighborhood of eastern Gaza on September 18, 2024. At least 8 Palestinians killed, several injured in Israeli airstrike while major damage occurred in the school and surrounding buildings. Sep. 18, 2024 (AA Photo)Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a college sheltering displaced people, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in the northern Gaza Strip, September 3, 2024. (Reuters Photo)Smoke rises from a building after it was destroyed by Israeli air strikes amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza May 11, 2021.(Reuters Photo)Fire breaks out on the tents housing displaced civilians after Israeli attacks in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al Balah, Gaza on October 14, 2024. (AA Photo)
People examine the ruined area of Ibn al-Haitham school, which was used as shelter by displaced Palestinians, after Israeli attacks in Shujaiya neighborhood of eastern Gaza on September 18, 2024. At least 8 Palestinians killed, several injured in Israeli airstrike while major damage occurred in the school and surrounding buildings. Sep. 18, 2024 (AA Photo)Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a college sheltering displaced people, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in the northern Gaza Strip, September 3, 2024. (Reuters Photo)Smoke rises from a building after it was destroyed by Israeli air strikes amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza May 11, 2021.(Reuters Photo)Fire breaks out on the tents housing displaced civilians after Israeli attacks in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al Balah, Gaza on October 14, 2024. (AA Photo)

Israel kills nearly 43,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7

Since Oct. 7, approximately 42,924 Palestinians have been killed, including around 17,210 children and 11,742 women, while over 100,833 individuals have been injured as a result of Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip.

Reports indicate that thousands of bodies remain under the rubble, and civilian infrastructure has been devastated, with hospitals and educational institutions targeted, forcing people to seek refuge in these facilities.

October 28, 2024 12:16 PM GMT+03:00
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