Five Journalists Killed In Israeli Airstrikes In Gaza

JAKARTA - Five journalists from Palestinian television station Al-Quds Today died on Thursday as a result of an air strike that hit their broadcast vehicle near Al-Awda Hospital, located in the Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza.

According to reports from local officials and local media, the journalists were covering activities at the hospital during their broadcast vehicle, which clearly reads "PRESS" in red letters, being targeted by Israeli airstrikes.

The victims have been identified as Fadi Hassouna, Ibrahim al-Sheikh Ali, Mohammed al-Ladah, Faisal Abu al-Qumsan, and Ayman al-Jadi.

Al-Jazeera correspondent, Anas Al-Sharif, reported that Ayman al-So he was even waiting for his first child to be born outside the hospital when the attack occurred.

Video footage circulating shows their vehicle on fire. Civilian defense teams were seen trying to extinguish the fire and evacuate bodies from the scene.

The Israeli military acknowledged the attack, claiming their target was a vehicle carrying members of the Islamic Jihad group.

Before the attack was carried out, various efforts have been made to minimize civilian casualties, including the use of precision weapons, air monitoring, and additional intelligence-based analysis," the Israeli military said in a statement via social media platform X.

The Organization of the Journalists Protection Committee (CPJ) strongly condemned the incident, calling for accountability for the action.

Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023 have killed nearly 45,400 people, most of whom are women and children.

Last month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

In addition, Israel is also facing a lawsuit at the International Court (ICJ) over alleged genocide committed in the Gaza region.