The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip has reported that five journalists are among the 29 Palestinians killed within the last 24 hours amid ongoing conflict in the region. The fatalities occurred during military actions conducted by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The Gaza Information Office has identified the journalists as Amjad Jahjouh from the Palestinian Information Agency, Wafa Abu Dabaan from Gaza Islamic University Channel, and Rizq Abu Ashkian from Palestine News Agency. These three were killed in Nuseirat. Additionally, Saadi Madoukh and Ahmed Sukkar from Deep Shot News Agency were killed in Gaza City.
The latest deaths add to the significant toll on journalists in the Gaza Strip, with official statistics indicating that more than 155 journalists have been killed since the escalation of hostilities on October 7, 2023.
Broader Context of the Conflict
The ongoing conflict has led to severe humanitarian crises across Gaza. Philippe Lazzarini, Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has called for an immediate halt to the forced evictions of Palestinians from their homes and tents by Israeli authorities. Lazzarini emphasized the urgency of stopping these practices to prevent further displacement and suffering among the Palestinian population.
Humanitarian Crisis
Hundreds of Palestinian refugees have been left homeless, living on the streets after being evicted from their tents in the eastern region of Khan Yunis, located in the southern Gaza Strip. The overall death toll in Gaza since October 7 has surpassed 38,000, with over 87,000 individuals reported injured, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
Continuing Conflict
Despite the heavy casualties and humanitarian challenges, Palestinian resistance groups, particularly the Palestinian Islamic Struggle Movement (HAMAS), continue to confront Israeli military operations. The city of Rafah in southern Gaza remains a focal point of intense conflict.
International Response
The international community has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and the growing number of civilian casualties, including journalists. Various human rights organizations and international bodies have called for immediate ceasefire negotiations and increased humanitarian aid to address the dire needs of the affected population in Gaza.
This latest incident underscores the extreme dangers faced by journalists covering the conflict, highlighting the broader implications of the ongoing violence on press freedom and the right to information in conflict zones.
