Four Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza airstrike, death toll of journalists reaches 182

By richardbrown // 2024-10-31

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On Oct. 27, the Israeli military killed another four Palestinian journalists in Gaza, raising the total number of journalists killed in the region since the conflict started to 182. The deceased journalists are Saed Radwan, Hamza Abu Salima, Hanin Baroud and Nadia al-Sayyed. Most were killed during an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Asmaa School in the Al-Shati refugee camp, located west of Gaza City in the northern half of the Strip. (Related: Humanitarian CATASTROPHE: Israeli blockade has deliberately left over 90% of Gaza starving.) The Government Media Office in Gaza later announced the deaths of Nadia al-Sayyed and another journalist, Abdul Rahman Al-Tanani. In a statement, the Gaza Media Office lamented, "The number of martyred journalists has risen to 182 since the onset of genocide in Gaza, highlighting the tragic toll on those who seek to report the truth." This ongoing violence has prompted calls from the Media Office for the international community to take action against what they describe as Israel's crimes, including the targeted killings of journalists. Israel's military has consistently targeted journalists in Gaza, claiming without evidence that some members of the press are affiliated with groups like Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. On the same day as the latest killings, the Israeli army alleged that six Al Jazeera journalists were operatives of these groups, naming individuals such as Anas al-Sharif and Hossam Shabat. These accusations raise significant concerns regarding the safety of journalists working in the area, especially as Israel continues its military operations. The context of these deaths is dire, with at least 1,000 people reported killed and many displaced mostly in northern Gaza due to what has been termed Israel's "Generals' Plan," which reportedly aims to eliminate or force out Palestinians in northern Gaza in preparation for the area's eventual settlement and annexation. Many residents refuse to leave, fearing they won’t be permitted to return. The health sector in northern Gaza faces a critical collapse due to ongoing military actions, compounding the humanitarian crisis. In response, Hamas announced an intensified political and diplomatic campaign to counter the Generals' Plan.

Israel also killing journalists in Lebanon

The situation for journalists is precarious not only in Gaza but also in neighboring Lebanon, where three media workers were recently killed in an airstrike. This incident has intensified calls to hold Israel accountable for its actions against the press. Advocates argue that the increasing death toll of journalists can be attributed to the failure of the international community, particularly the United States, to hold Israel responsible for its actions. The targeted attack in Lebanon specifically hit a compound housing journalists, drawing severe condemnation. Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary described the strike as a premeditated assassination, citing the presence of 18 journalists from various media institutions in the area. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has labeled the current climate as one of the deadliest for reporters in years, with at least 128 journalists killed amid the wider violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon over the past year. CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna emphasized that deliberately targeting journalists constitutes a war crime under international law, calling for an independent investigation into these attacks. Israeli officials often deflect criticism by accusing journalists of affiliations with militant groups, which critics argue is a tactic to justify violence against the press. Al Jazeera has firmly rejected Israel’s accusations against its journalists. Despite the ongoing threats, advocates stress the importance of journalism in documenting the situation in Gaza. They argue that the killing of journalists is part of a broader strategy to obscure the truth about Israel's military actions. International bodies, including over 70 media and civil society organizations, have called on Israel to allow foreign journalists access to Gaza, a request that has gained urgency as the conflict continues. Diana Buttu, a Palestinian lawyer, highlighted the inconsistencies in how international law is applied, pointing out that merely alleging someone is affiliated with an armed group does not make them a legitimate target in conflict. Raed Jarrar from the United States-based rights group DAWN stated that the targeting of journalists reflects Israel's desperation to conceal its actions against Palestinians. Watch this video featuring an interview with Jeremy Loffredo, a journalist jailed by Israel. This video is from the channel Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth on Brighteon.com.

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Israel also killing journalists in Lebanon

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