Israeli strike injures several Turkish state television team members

‘This is a massacre,’ says Communications Director following Israel’s attack on Turkish state television journalists; demands global unity against such attacks

An Israeli strike at the Nusayrat refugee camp in Gaza has severely injured members of Turkish state television’s team from TRT Arabi, marking another instance in the dangerous trend of media targeting in the region.

The strike badly wounded freelance cameraperson Sami Shahada, who is now undergoing surgery after losing a foot. His colleague, Sami Berhum, received minor injuries.

Fahrettin Altun, Türkiye’s Communications Director, sharply criticized the attack. “Today, the entire world sees Israel’s massacres in Gaza, targeting civilians, healthcare workers, and journalists,” Altun stated, asserting the urgent need for a unified global response against these actions.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in discussions with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, is actively seeking international support to address these attacks.

His administration has been vocal in condemning the ongoing violence and advocating for Palestinian rights on the global stage.

Responses from Turkish political figures were swift and strong. Omer Celik, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson, denounced Israel’s actions.

“We condemn once again the brutal massacre by the Israeli army, targeting journalists and obscuring the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” Celik said.

The opposition party, Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel also expressed his condemnation, particularly noting the timing during Eid al-Fitr. “I condemn Israel’s targeting of journalists broadcasting the war conditions to the world,” Ozel remarked.

Zahid Sobaci, TRT’s General Director, called out the attack’s deliberate nature. “Murderous Israel targeted our TRT Arabi team’s vehicle at Nuseyrat Camp. Our cameraperson Sami Shahada lost his foot and is currently in surgery. Thankfully, reporter Sami Berhum is doing well,” Sobaci declared.

The conflict in Gaza has escalated significantly since Israel announced a surprise military operation in the region on Thursday. This campaign has led to widespread international condemnation because of the high number of civilian casualties and the destruction of homes and religious sites.

Source: Newsroom