Israeli forces must be held accountable for attacks on journalists in Gaza, says IFJ

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 25 July 2014

The International Federation of Journalists calls for accountability from Israel regarding attacks on journalists in Gaza. They emphasize the importance of respecting media rights and ensuring justice for the victims.

Summary

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has joined increasing international calls for the Israeli government and its forces to be held accountable for the atrocities that are being carried out against journalists covering events in Gaza.

IFJ affiliate, the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS), has published a list detailing the attacks that Israeli forces have carried out against journalists reporting on the crisis, including the four media workers who have been killed since the conflict began, the many media workers who have been injured, and the three media outlets that have been targeted.

“We join the international demand for an end to impunity for attacks against journalists in Palestine and we demand that the Israeli forces who carried out these appalling murders and attacks answer for their crimes and face the full weight of justice,” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha.

“And we call on Israel, Hamas and all Palestinian armed groups to respect the rights and freedoms of all journalists and media workers and strictly abide by applicable norms of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”

The media workers who have been killed are:

- Hamid Shehab, who worked for 24 Media, and was killed by a rocket while driving a car in the Gaza Strip area on the night of 9 July. The car was parked outside Shehab’s house when it was hit and it was clearly marked as a press vehicle.

- Mohammed Smeri, who worked for Gaza Now website, and was killed in an Israeli war jet bombardment on Deir Albalah town, south of the Gaza Strip on July 11.

- Khaled Hamed, 25, who worked for Ray News Agency, and was shot dead while covering Israeli military operations in the Shochaeyah Gaza neighborhood on Sunday 20 July.

- Abdurrahman Abu Hina, who worked for Alkitab TV, and was killed by an Israeli bomb which destroyed his house on 23 July. His brother and grandfather were also killed in the attack.

Other media workers who have suffered injuries include:

- Ziad Awad, who worked for Nabaa News Agency, and was hit in the head by shrapnel while working in the field.

- Mahmoud Alloh, who worked for Wattan Radio Station, and was hit in the chest by shrapnel while working in the field.

- Sami Thabit, who worked for Palestine Today TV, and was hit in the chest by shrapnel while working in the field.

- Anas Abu Meiliq, who worked for Anadol News Agency, and was hit in the leg by shrapnel while working in the field.

- Ahmad Shayah, who worked for Alkitab TV and Media Town Agency, and was hit in the face by shrapnel while working in the field.

- Mohammed Masharawi, who worked for Media Town Agency, and was hit in the hand by shrapnel while working in the field.

- Suhair Kharaz, a female journalist who worked for the Ray News Agency, and was hit in the shoulder and leg by shrapnel while in her house which was destroyed. 

The media outlets that have been targeted are:

- Offices of the National Media agency – the offices were destroyed.

- Offices of the Wattan Radio station- the offices were destroyed.

- Offices of Aljazeera TV Channel – bullets were fired at the offices and staff were forced to evacuate. - IFJ

KEY POINTS:

• Four media workers have been killed since the start of the Gaza conflict.
• Numerous journalists have suffered injuries from Israeli military actions.
• The IFJ calls for an end to impunity for attacks against journalists.
• The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate has documented the violence against media personnel.
• IFJ demands adherence to international humanitarian and human rights laws.