Israeli Air Strike Kills Three Palestinian Journalists in Gaza
An Israeli air strike killed three Palestinian journalists in central Gaza on Wednesday, according to the territory’s civil defence agency, as the Israeli military said it targeted individuals it accused of operating a drone linked to Hamas.
The civil defence said the strike occurred in the Al-Zahra area, southwest of Gaza City, and identified the victims as Mohammed Salah Qashta, Abdul Raouf Shaat and Anas Ghneim.
Shaat, a photo and video journalist who regularly contributed to Agence France-Presse (AFP), was not on assignment for the agency at the time of the attack. AFP said it was mourning his death and described him as a “kind-hearted colleague” and a “deeply committed journalist”.
The news agency called for a “full and transparent investigation”, noting that many local journalists have been killed in Gaza in recent years while foreign reporters remain unable to access the territory freely.
In a statement, the Israeli military said its troops identified “several suspects” operating a drone affiliated with Hamas in the central Gaza Strip. It said the drone posed a threat to Israeli forces and that the suspects were struck, adding that the incident was under review. The military did not provide further details about the drone.
Eyewitnesses said the journalists were using a drone to film aid distribution by the Egyptian Relief Committee when an accompanying vehicle was hit. The Egyptian aid group confirmed that one of its vehicles was struck during what it described as a humanitarian mission, resulting in three deaths.
Mohammed Mansour, a spokesman for the Egyptian Relief Committee in Gaza, said the vehicle was clearly marked with the organisation’s logo and was targeted while the journalists were filming near the Netzarim camp. He described the attack as a “criminal” act.
Footage from the scene showed a charred vehicle and human remains scattered in an open area.
Hamas condemned the strike as a “dangerous escalation” and a violation of the fragile US-sponsored ceasefire that has largely halted fighting since October 10. The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate also denounced the attack, accusing Israel of pursuing a deliberate policy of targeting Palestinian journalists.
Since the ceasefire took effect, at least 466 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The Israeli military said three of its soldiers have been killed by militants during the same period.
