The Israeli occupation army continues to commit crimes against the journalists of Gaza, where massacres are committed daily against them in an attempt to silence their voice, they are the first witnesses to the massacres and the humanitarian tragedy experienced by civilians under bombardment and siege, and the Israeli occupation army killed 246 according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
How do these crimes affect the work of Gaza journalists?
Systematic crimes against Gaza journalists restrict their movement and expose them to constant danger, making it more difficult to cover events and gather information, and the targeting of media offices and the destruction of communications infrastructure prevent them from the tools necessary to carry out their work. The Gaza journalist lives a harsh reality, he is a reporter and a documenter of the event, and on the other hand he lives the same tragedy, from the loss of colleagues and relatives, and the constant threat of death, generates a state of psychological pressure, and despite this, the journalist continues to perform his message.
With Gazans being targeted repeatedly and directly, getting on the ground is fraught with death at any moment. Nevertheless, they choose to risk their lives in order to convey what is happening to their people, without hesitation or fear of death. In addition to the constant threats against Gaza journalists to remain silent or be killed. Nevertheless, they continue their work of conveying the truth to the world and showing the crimes, massacres and systematic starvation of their people.
The targeting of journalists in Gaza also reduces the volume of direct field coverage and makes it very difficult to report the truth, as the images and reports journalists are working to deliver, despite the risks, have become a key witness on which the world depends to understand what is happening. In addition to the constant psychological pressure caused by the scenes of killing and injuries and the broadcast of the screams of the victims live, it caused cases of shock and lack of concentration.
Read more about Gaza’s struggle for survival
The occupation seeks to silence the voice of journalists in Gaza by deliberately targeting them and bombing media headquarters and broadcasting equipment, turning armies into the first deterrent to the transfer of witness testimonies and field facts. In this way, the occupation ensures that the narrative is confined to one corner, and hides before the world public opinion the extent of the destruction and suffering experienced by civilians, which erases from memory the documents and shocking images that push the international community to take a position or push mechanisms of immediate protection.
But the coverage continues and the message will reach, whether the occupation or my father.
What crimes have been committed against journalists in Gaza?
Journalists are the first line of defense for the truth, not only reporting news but also documenting crimes and exposing the suffering of civilians to the world. However, this role was not tolerated by the Israeli occupation, which chose to target them in cold blood, and the whole world is witness to this. Journalism is not a crime, but the real crime is the extermination of an entire people for political interests.
1. Direct Targeting
Direct rocket and bomb attacks during live coverage led to 246 journalist martyrs.
2. Arrest and detention
Charges against Gaza journalists and their prolonged detention without trial, and preventing their communication with their families and relatives, and forced summonses to undermine the media outlets and shade the truth.
3. Destruction of offices and public information equipment
Direct bombing of radio offices from the start of the war, not only did the occupation army destroy cameras and broadcasting equipment, and frequent interruptions of the Internet.
4. Ongoing harassment and threats
Many journalists are threatened with being targeted or their families, intimidating them to silence their voices.
Documenting violations against journalists in Gaza
Media and press personnel in Gaza are under direct fire pressure, with artillery shelling, guided missiles and bombs being used against them, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries, including reporters, photographers and technicians, while covering the field or trying to transport victims of the bombing to hospitals.
Shields and barriers that are supposed to protect civilians do not provide immunity to journalists; they are frequently targeted by the Israeli military, either directly or through indiscriminate bombing of medical and educational facilities and press laboratories. This approach strongly measures the safety of media work in conflict zones.
Massacre of Gaza journalists Anas al-Sharif and his colleagues
Anas al-Sharif and his colleagues targeted Mohammed Qureiqa, Mohammed Nofal, Ibrahim Zahir, Momen Aliwa and Mohammed Khalidi, and the raid was on a tent intended for journalists outside al-Shifa hospital. Six journalists were killed at once, these martyrs are not just numbers, and this is a systematic assassination of press freedom. These colleagues were one of the most prominent voices that convey the suffering of the people in Gaza from massacres, shelling and starvation, and the journalist Anas al-Sharif was known for his field coverage where he was going out on the air amid the bombing, conveying the moment of the suffering of civilians.
Some of Anas al-Sharif’s words in his will: "I commend you to Palestine, the crown jewel of the Muslims, and the heartbeat of every free person in this world. I recommend you to her parents, and to her young oppressed children, who have not been given a chance to dream and live in peace and security, their pure bodies have been crushed by thousands of tons of Israeli bombs and missiles, torn apart and scattered on the walls. I recommend that you do not be silenced by restrictions, do not be crippled by borders, and be bold towards the liberation of the country and its people, until the sun of dignity and freedom shines on our country."
Massacre during direct coverage
The Israeli occupation targeted an air strike on the Nasser Medical Complex during direct physical coverage, where the first strike hit the upper floor, after which civil defense teams and journalists deployed to the site, to be hit by the second attack immediately minutes later. Among the dead were five journalists, Hussein al-Masri, Maryam Daqqa, Mohamed Salama, Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmed Abu Aziz. This is a double attack targeting journalists and civil defence members minutes after arrival, a clear example of what could be seen as a systematic use of violence against media and civilian rescuers.
