Five Palestinian journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their vehicle in central Gaza, according to their employer, Al-Quds Today, a television channel affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The journalists—Faisal Abu al-Qumsan, Ayman al-Jadi, Ibrahim al-Sheikh Khalil, Fadi Hassouna, and Mohammed al-Lada’a—were sleeping in their broadcasting truck, which was clearly marked as “press,” when it was targeted by the Israeli military. Another 16 people died in separate Israeli airstrikes across Gaza.
The attack occurred as renewed ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel reportedly stalled. The Israeli military claimed it conducted a “precise strike” on a vehicle containing members of an Islamic Jihad terrorist cell in the Nuseirat area, and said precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties. However, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate reported that 195 journalists have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) denied targeting media workers, although an investigation by The Guardian found that some in the IDF considered journalists working for outlets associated with Palestinian militant groups to be legitimate military targets. Since foreign journalists are not permitted to enter Gaza freely, Palestinian journalists have taken on the responsibility of documenting the war, often at great personal risk.
Under the Geneva Conventions, journalists maintain civilian status unless they directly participate in military operations. Working for a media outlet like Al-Quds Today does not make someone a target.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the attack, calling for the protection of journalists, who are considered civilians under international law. This incident highlights the extreme dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones. Since the start of the war, over 45,000 people have died in Gaza, with the majority being civilians, according to local health officials.
