By Black Star News
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
Tuesday, the United Nations said the targeted killings of five more journalists, in Gaza, on Monday morning–by the Israeli government—should “shock the world into action.” Monday’s murders follow the Aug.10 killings of six journalists in Gaza.
The journalists killed Monday are: Ahed Abu Aziz, Hussam al-Masri, Mariam Dagga, Mohammed Salama and Moaz Abu Taha. 20 people were killed in Monday’s targeted attack.
UN Human Rights (OHCHR) spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said condemnation for Israel’s killings of journalists must be followed by accountability: “We know that one of the five journalists appears to have been killed in the first air strike while three others including the women journalist appear to have been killed in the second air strike. This is a shock and this is unacceptable. At least 247 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since the 7th of October 2023. These journalists are the eyes and the ears of the whole world and they must be protected…This raises many, many questions about the targeting of journalists and all of these incidents must absolutely be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable.”
On Monday, two prominent media advocacy groups, The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), both released statements denouncing the targeted killings of journalists in Gaza.
CPJ’s Regional Director Sara Qudah spoke out about the two bombing strikes and the continued killings of journalists saying, “Israel killed at least four [ five] journalists in Nasser Hospital on Monday morning. Israel’s broadcasted killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history. These murders must end now. The perpetrators must no longer be allowed to act with impunity.”
RSF Director General Thibaut Bruttin released the following statement: “Four [five] more journalists were killed this Monday morning. How far will the Israeli armed forces go in their gradual effort to eliminate information coming from Gaza? How long will they continue to defy international humanitarian law? The protection of journalists is guaranteed by international law, yet more than 200 of them have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza over the past two years. Ten years after the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2222, which protects journalists in times of conflict, the Israeli army is flouting its application. RSF calls for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to ensure this resolution is finally respected, and that concrete measures are taken to end impunity for crimes against journalists, protect Palestinian journalists, and open access to the Gaza Strip to all reporters.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that targeted murders were a “tragic mishap” and that Israel would conduct “a thorough investigation.”
OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan appeared rightfully skeptical when he pointed out that similar “investigations”, in the past yielded nothing. Al-Kheetan made it clear that “these investigations need to yield results. There needs to be justice. We haven’t seen results or accountability measures yet.”
Monday’s murders follow Israel’s August 10, murderers of six journalists: Anas al-Sharif, Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent; Mohammed Qreiqeh, Al Jazeera correspondent; Ibrahim Zaher, Al Jazeera camera operator; Moamen Aliwa, freelance camera operator; Mohammed Noufal, Al Jazeera camera operator; Mohammad al-Khaldi, freelance journalist.
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