Condemnation of the assassination of 5 journalists in Gaza amid calls for international accountability

The journalists were martyred as a result of an Israeli airstrike on a broadcasting vehicle for Al-Quds earlier Thursday, where the five journalists worked. One of them, journalist Ayman Al-Jadi, was waiting for the birth of his child in front of the hospital.

The syndicate described the Israeli crime as a “horrific massacre,” saying that it is part of a systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists aimed at obscuring the truth and restricting freedom of expression.

It noted that more than 190 journalists and media personnel have been martyred since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, describing this as a war crime according to international conventions.

The syndicate emphasized that this targeting constitutes a blatant violation of human rights and press freedom, calling on the international community and human rights organizations to provide urgent protection for Palestinian journalists and take measures to halt these crimes.

It also urged international media organizations to highlight the suffering of Palestinian journalists and ensure accountability for the occupation.

For its part, the Palestinian Center for the Protection of Journalists stressed that the attack represents a clear war crime and reflects Israel’s intent to silence the voice of journalism in Gaza. The center warned that international silence encourages Israel to continue its violations, undermining trust in the international system to protect human rights.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Media Forum confirmed that the targeting of the Israeli occupation army on the Al-Quds Today broadcasting vehicle, despite clear press markings, represents a blatant challenge to the international system and the press institutions concerned with protecting journalists and press freedom.

The Forum condemned the international silence and inability to protect Palestinian journalists and enable them to perform their professional duties according to international laws and humanitarian conventions.

According to a statement from the Government Media Office in Gaza, the number of journalists martyred since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023, has risen to 201, with hundreds injured and dozens arrested.

Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has been subjected to an Israeli genocide that has resulted in the martyrdom and injury of more than 153,000 people, most of whom are children and women, in addition to massive destruction and famine that have claimed dozens of lives, amid international indifference.