Israel's airstrike on a marked press van in central Gaza has drawn global condemnation after killing five Palestinian journalists working for the Al-Quds Today television channel. The attack occurred near the Al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp, according to Palestinian authorities and media outlets. Footage from the scene showed the van, emblazoned with the word "press" in bold red letters, engulfed in flames.
The journalists, identified as Fadi Hassouna, Ibrahim al-Sheikh Ali, Mohammed al-Ladah, Faisal Abu al-Qumsan, and Ayman al-Jadi, were reportedly covering events near the hospital when the strike occurred. Al Jazeera reported that al-Jadi had been waiting outside the hospital for his wife, who was in labor with their first child. All five were killed instantly, and their remains were later recovered by civil defense teams.
The Israeli military defended its actions, stating the van was transporting members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a militant group allied with Hamas. "Prior to the attack, many steps were taken to reduce the chance of harming civilians, including the use of precision weapons, aerial observations, and additional intelligence information," the military said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemns the targeting of journalists in Gaza and calls for international protection. Five journalists were martyred in a heinous attack on Al-Quds Today TV's broadcast vehicle.#Nuseirat #Gaza
Details: https://t.co/guf8t1dVOU pic.twitter.com/qYncJfBZb8 — نقابة الصحفيين الفسطينيين P.J.S (@InfoPJS) December 26, 2024
Palestinian media outlets have dismissed Israel's claims, maintaining that the journalists were civilians performing their professional duties. The incident has added to mounting concerns over the safety of journalists covering the ongoing conflict.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the deaths as part of an "unprecedented massacre," reporting that over 145 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) stated it was "devastated" by the attack, emphasizing that journalists are civilians under international law and should be protected.
This attack comes amid heightened scrutiny over Israel's treatment of the press in Gaza. Foreign journalists have been barred from entering the territory, leaving the responsibility of documenting the conflict to local reporters. Several press organizations have criticized Israel for targeting journalists and media facilities. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate reported that at least 195 journalists have been killed and 400 injured since the war began.
The Israeli Defense Forces have previously faced accusations of targeting individuals affiliated with Palestinian media organizations. Critics argue that Israel views journalists working for outlets linked to Hamas or other militant groups as legitimate military targets, an interpretation that some human rights groups deem inconsistent with international humanitarian law.
The broader conflict has taken a devastating toll. Over 45,000 people, more than half of whom are women and children, have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities. Humanitarian groups have accused Israel of blocking aid, including medicine and food, into the territory, exacerbating an already dire situation.
