Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
The African Journalists Against Genocide (AJAG) has condemned Israel’s systematic assassinations of Palestinian journalists, following the killing of six media workers in Gaza on Monday.
According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, five journalists were killed in a targeted double-tap airstrike on the fourth floor of the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza, while another reporter was shot dead in Khan Younis.
Those killed at the hospital were identified as Hussam Al-Masri (Reuters), Mohammad Salama (Al Jazeera Channel), Mariam Abu Daqqa (The Independent Arabic and Associated Press), Moaz Abu Taha (NBC News), and Ahmed Abu Aziz (Quds Feed Network).
Two others, Hatem Omar (Reuters) and Jamal Badah (Palestine Today TV), were injured.
In Khan Younis, Hassan Douhan, a newspaper journalist for Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, was shot dead by Israeli forces in the Al-Mawasi area.
Witnesses reported that Al-Masri was broadcasting a live video feed from inside the hospital when the signal abruptly cut out as the first strike hit. Israel has reportedly acknowledged responsibility for both strikes.
At least 20 people were killed in the hospital attacks, with several others injured.
In a statement, AJAG said the killings add to a growing toll of media workers targeted in Gaza. Since October 2023, at least 274 journalists have been killed.
“The Government Media Office strongly condemns the systematic targeting, killing, and assassination of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli occupation,” reads the statement. “We hold the Israeli occupation, the US administration and states participating in the genocide — such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France — fully responsible for these heinous crimes.”
AJAG, a coalition of senior journalists from more than 30 African countries also expressed outrage at the attacks and said the deliberate targeting of journalists undermines press freedom and violates international law.
“As journalists who work hard to expose these atrocities, we are furious at the unabated violence our colleagues in Palestine are enduring. Journalism is not a crime. Killing journalists is the crime,” AJAG said.
The murders come less than two weeks after journalist Anas al-Sharif and five other reporters were killed on August 10, sparking global protests.
More deaths followed with Islam El-Khomy killed on August 19, and Khaled Mohammad Al-Madhoun, a cameraman for Palestine TV, killed on August 23 while covering Israeli strikes in northern Gaza.
Despite international outrage, AJAG said Israel continues to act with complete impunity in disregard for international law.
