Journalists in Gaza: Targeted and Killed Amid Israeli Strikes

Abed Shaat, a 33-year-old freelance photographer, was covering Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Sunday. After a long day of reporting, he returned to his tent in front of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. While resting, he was awakened by a powerful explosion. Rushing out of his tent, Shaat saw that a nearby journalists' tent had been hit directly by an airstrike. His heart sank when he saw one of his colleagues engulfed in flames. Despite the intense fire, including exploding gas canisters, Shaat tried desperately to save his colleague but was unable to pull him out before the fire grew uncontrollable. The explosion claimed the lives of Palestine Today reporter Hilmi al-Faqaawi and another man, Yousef al-Khazindar. Several other journalists were also injured in the strike.

The Israeli military claimed it targeted the tent because one of the journalists, Hassan Eslaih, was allegedly a Hamas member posing as a reporter. Eslaih, who had been previously threatened by Israeli authorities for his coverage, was seriously injured. The Israeli army argued that precautions were taken to minimize civilian casualties but did not explain why a tent full of journalists was bombed to capture one individual.

Since the conflict began in October 2023, over 200 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces, making it the deadliest conflict for journalists. Many of them were based in hospitals, which provided relative safety and operational facilities. Experts have pointed out that the deliberate targeting of journalists by Israel is part of a larger pattern. According to international law, such attacks are considered war crimes.

Other journalists, like Hossam Shabat and Hamza Dahdouh, have also been killed in targeted attacks by Israeli forces. These incidents highlight a broader strategy to prevent reporting on potential war crimes and discourage journalists from covering the situation in Gaza.

As the death toll in Gaza rises, including many women and children, the safety of journalists continues to be at risk. The international community is called upon to hold Israel accountable for its actions against media professionals. The ongoing danger to reporters like Shaat underscores the immense psychological and physical toll on those covering the conflict. He expressed a profound sense of helplessness, reflecting on the brutality of the situation and the uncertain future for journalists in Gaza.