Gaza journalists wounded in Israeli attack

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 18 November 2012

Israeli airstrikes targeted two media buildings in Gaza, injuring several journalists. This has prompted concern from various press organizations regarding the safety of reporters in conflict areas.

Summary

GAZA/JERUSALEM: Israeli aircraft hit two Gaza media buildings on Sunday, wounding eight journalists and drawing concern from press covering the fighting between Palestinian militants and the Jewish state.

The Israeli military said the attacks were pinpoint strikes on Hamas communication devices located on the buildings' roofs, and accused the Islamist group of using reporters as human shields to try and protect their operations.

Britain's Sky News, German ARD, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya, Beirut-based al Quds Television and other broadcasters operate from the two buildings, which are a block apart. One employee from al Quds TV lost his leg in the early morning strike.

The attack came on the fifth day of heavy air strikes on the coastal enclave which Israel says are needed to halt repeated militant rocket launches into its territory.

The Foreign Press Association covering Israel and the Palestinian Territories issued a statement in which it expressed concern over the bombings and quoted a UN Security Council resolution that condemned attacks against journalists.

Israeli military spokeswoman Avital Leibovich denied that journalists were the target of the strike.

"Hamas took a civilian building and used it for its own needs. So the journalists ... were serving as human shields for Hamas," she said. - Reuters

 

KEY POINTS:

• Israeli aircraft hit two media buildings in Gaza.
• Eight journalists were wounded in the strikes.
• The Israeli military justified the attacks as aimed at Hamas communication equipment.
• Concerns have been raised by the Foreign Press Association.
• One journalist from al Quds TV lost his leg in the attack.