Hamas condemns Israel for killing journalists, urges accountability

Hamas condemned Israel for its actions against journalists and urged the international community to hold the Israeli government accountable for making Palestinian journalists “targets for murder and revenge.”

In a statement, Hamas denounced the Israeli military’s killing of five journalists in a single day in the Gaza Strip. The group emphasized that these attacks will not intimidate Palestinian journalists, who will continue to report on Israel’s crimes.

Israel’s systematic targeting of journalists

The statement also highlighted the systematic and intentional targeting of journalists by the Israeli army in Gaza, describing these actions as “unprecedented crimes” meant to instill fear and deter journalists from exposing the realities of ongoing atrocities.

It stated, “The fascist Israeli government must be held accountable for turning Palestinian journalists into targets for murder and revenge. The international community and organizations must take serious steps to stop these attacks.”

Hamas called on international media organizations to condemn the crimes against Palestinian journalists and to stand in solidarity with them in exposing Israel’s actions.

Israel targets Turkish media outlets

Turkish media outlets are also in Israel’s crosshairs. AA photographer Mostafa Alkharouf was attacked by Israeli security forces while covering news in occupied East Jerusalem on Dec. 15, 2023. He is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. Following the incident, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir promised to facilitate Alkharouf’s swift return to work.

Additionally, on Nov. 17, 2023, the Turkish state channel TRT Haber team was assaulted by Israeli police while reporting on developments in Jerusalem. The police physically intervened with the TRT team and damaged their camera. On July 26, 2024, while Israeli soldiers targeted individuals heading to prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, they also attacked a TRT team, resulting in injuries to a reporter.

These incidents highlight the ongoing targeting of media workers by Israeli forces and underscore the need for a stronger international response.

According to a statement from the Gaza government’s Media Office, five journalists were reported dead due to Israeli attacks carried out Sunday. Since the onset of Israel’s assaults on Oct. 7, 2023, the number of journalists killed in the Gaza Strip has risen to 182.

Israel kills nearly 43,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7

Since Oct. 7, approximately 42,924 Palestinians have been killed, including around 17,210 children and 11,742 women, while over 100,833 individuals have been injured as a result of Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip.

Reports indicate that thousands of bodies remain under the rubble, and civilian infrastructure has been devastated, with hospitals and educational institutions targeted, forcing people to seek refuge in these facilities.