The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has claimed the lives of at least eight journalists.
The Palestinian enclave's press office said a few journalists have also gone missing after Israel's airstrikes on Gaza.
The press office listed the names of journalists killed in the attacks: Muhammed Subh, Hisham en-Nawacihe, Said al-Taweel who was the editor-in-chief of Al-Khamsa News website, Muhammed es-Salihi who was a freelance journalist, Esad Shemlah, Ibrahim Lafi who was a photographer for Ain Media, Mohammad Jarghoun who was a reporter with Smart Media, and Selame Mime.
According to an Al Jazeera report, al-Taweel and two others, Alnwajha and Subh, were killed on Tuesday when they went to film a building that was about to be bombed by Israel in Gaza city. The trio were standing a safe distance away from the building that was to be bombed as per warning. Unfortunately, another building which was much closer to them was hit.
They were wearing safety gear with distinctive markings identifying them as members of the press.
Just before his death, al-Taweel said in what was to be his last words: “Unfortunately, they have sent a warning notice to the Hiji building just now that it will be bombed. The area has been evacuated entirely. Women, men, the elderly, kids have all completely fled the area,” reported Al Jazeera.
Palestinian journalists in Gaza take part in the funeral of their fellow Saed Al-Taweel and Mohammed Soboh, who were murdered in an Israeli airstrike targeting a street containing press offices in Gaza City last night. pic.twitter.com/WPlOOe6jQD
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) October 10, 2023
Ibrahim Lafi and another journalist were shot dead while they were reporting at the Gaza Strip’s Beit Hanoon crossing.
Haitham Abdelwahid from the Ain Media agency and Nidal al-Wahidi from the Al-Najah channel are reported missing, according to Al Jazeera.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an independent non-profit, non-governmental that promotes press freedom worldwide, said it was "extremely concerned" and urged both sides to "remember that journalists are civilians and should not be targeted".
"Accurate reporting is critical during times of crisis and the media has a vital role to play in bringing news from Gaza and Israel to the world," CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa programme coordinator Sherif Mansour was quoted as saying.
