Israeli strike kills journalist in Gaza tent camp

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 9 March 2026 |  JP Middle East Desk

Amal Shamaly, a correspondent for Qatar Radio, was killed when an Israeli strike hit tents sheltering displaced families west of Az-Zawayda in central Gaza on March 9; at least two others were killed and several were injured, press groups said.

Summary

GAZA CITY — A Palestinian journalist was killed in an Israeli strike on tents sheltering displaced people in central Gaza early Monday, according to press freedom groups and media reports published March 9. The incident adds to the mounting toll of media workers killed during the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the victim, Amal Shamaly, was a correspondent for Qatar Radio who was killed when an Israeli attack hit tents housing displaced civilians west of the village of Az-Zawayda in central Gaza. At least two other people were killed, and several more were injured in the same strike.

Journalist killed while covering conflict

Shamaly had been reporting from Gaza during the prolonged conflict that began after the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in the territory. According to CPJ, the March 9 strike occurred in an area where displaced families had set up temporary shelters.

The organization condemned the killing and called for accountability, emphasizing that journalists are civilians under international humanitarian law and must not be targeted in armed conflict. CPJ also urged authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into the circumstances of the strike.

Media workers face mounting risks in Gaza

Press freedom groups say the Gaza conflict has become one of the deadliest in recent decades for journalists. CPJ data shows that at least 253 journalists have been killed in the region since October 2023, including at least 213 in Gaza alone.

Local Palestinian journalists have borne the brunt of the casualties, partly because most international reporters have been unable to enter the territory during the war. As a result, Gaza-based reporters have become the primary source of on-the-ground reporting for global news organizations.

International media watchdogs have repeatedly warned that the combination of intense bombardment, limited safety infrastructure, and restricted access for foreign media has significantly increased the risks faced by local reporters documenting the conflict.

WHY THIS MATTERS: The Gaza war illustrates the extreme risks local journalists face when international media access is restricted. For Pakistani newsrooms, it underscores the importance of safety protocols, hostile-environment training, and stronger institutional backing for reporters covering conflict or protests. It also highlights the global debate over accountability for attacks on journalists in war zones.

ATTRIBUTION: Based on a March 9, 2026, report by the Committee to Protect Journalists and reporting by Reuters (March 9, 2026).

PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only.