Two More Palestinian Journalists Killed in Israeli Strikes on Gaza

GAZA, 24 July: Two more Palestinian journalists have been killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, raising the death toll of media workers killed in the conflict to 231 since October 2023, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.

In a statement released Wednesday, the office identified the journalists as photojournalist Tamer al-Za’anin and editorial journalist Walaa al-Ja’bari, condemning what it described as the “systematic targeting” of media professionals in the besieged enclave.

Local media reported that al-Za’anin was killed during an Israeli military raid in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, allegedly aimed at capturing Dr. Marwan al-Hams, director of Gaza’s field hospitals. The photojournalist was reportedly covering the situation when he was targeted and fatally shot.

Meanwhile, Walaa al-Ja’bari, an editorial journalist, was killed earlier the same day in an Israeli airstrike on eastern Gaza City. According to medical sources cited by Anadolu Agency, the attack also killed her husband, four children, and her unborn baby, wiping out the entire family.

The Gaza Media Office issued a strong condemnation of what it called Israel’s deliberate targeting of journalists, urging global journalism bodies—including the International Federation of Journalists and the Federation of Arab Journalists—to publicly denounce the ongoing violence.

“These systematic crimes against Palestinian journalists represent a grave violation of international law and media freedom,” the statement read.

Since the war began in October 2023, Israel’s military campaign has resulted in the deaths of at least 59,219 Palestinians, the vast majority of them women and children, according to Gaza health authorities. The toll among journalists has now reached 231, making this one of the deadliest conflicts for media workers in modern history.

The International Federation of Journalists has previously called for an independent investigation into the deaths of Palestinian media personnel, warning that targeting journalists could constitute a war crime under international law.

Human rights groups and press freedom advocates continue to pressure the international community to hold Israel accountable for what they describe as violations of the Geneva Conventions, which protect civilians—including journalists—during times of war.

As the bombardment of Gaza continues, media watchdogs warn that the killing of journalists not only silences vital reporting from the ground but also represents an attack on truth and accountability.