WJWC: Israeli Targeting of Journalists in Gaza is Alarming and Horrific

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) has expressed deep concern following an airstrike on a shelter school in the southern Gaza Strip

 that resulted in the tragic death of journalist and cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa from Al Jazeera TV, and the injury sustained by reporter Wael Al-Dahuh. According to testimonies from journalists and an official statement by Al Jazeera TV, Palestinian reporters Al-Dahuh and Abu Daqqa were struck by shrapnel during an explosion in close proximity to them while they were reporting on events in Khan Yunis, located in the southern Gaza Strip. Unfortunately, Abu Daqqa remained trapped inside the school for over six hours and succumbed to his injuries on Friday, December 15th..

Following the death of Samer Abu Daqqa, the number of journalists, including both males and females, killed in Israeli occupation attacks has reached 87 since October 7th, based on data provided by the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip. Women Journalists Without Chains strongly asserts that the deliberate targeting of journalists by a reconnaissance aircraft constitutes a heinous and purposeful crime. The primary objective of such attacks is to obstruct public access to the truth and conceal the Israeli occupation's breaches of international law. It is disheartening to note that the occupation forces have persisted in monitoring and intimidating journalists throughout the ongoing conflict.

The advocacy group for journalists strongly emphasized its concerns, asserting that the continued targeting of journalists by Israeli forces not only demonstrates a disregard for global public opinion and international principles but also exposes deliberate attempts to obstruct the world from witnessing the true reality on the ground. Additionally, the regional NGO asserts that the killing of journalists amounts to a war crime, firmly advocating for accountability, including holding Israeli military and political leaders responsible for these reprehensible acts.

With a sense of urgency and alarm, the WJWC strongly condemns the international silence and delay in exerting necessary pressure on the Israeli government to cease its targeting of journalists and their families. The organization urgently calls for decisive intervention to prevent the recurrence of these crimes and demands that the perpetrators be held accountable.