Khan Younis, Gaza Strip – Al Jazeera journalist Samer Abudaqa was killed and his colleague Wael Dahdouh was wounded in an Israeli drone strike on a school in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Friday. The attack drew condemnation from the media network and renewed concerns about the safety of journalists covering the ongoing conflict in the region.
Abudaqa and Dahdouh were reporting on a civil defense mission to evacuate a family from their bombed-out home when the strike occurred. Dahdouh described witnessing the devastating destruction and reaching areas untouched by cameras since the ground operation began. As they were leaving on foot due to restricted access, Dahdouh recalls a loud explosion that knocked him to the ground.
He managed to reach a hospital with minor shrapnel wounds, but Abudaqa was not so fortunate. Rescue efforts were hampered by continued Israeli bombardment, leaving Abudaqa critically injured for over five hours before he succumbed to his wounds. Subsequent attempts to retrieve his body were met with gunfire, further highlighting the dangers faced by journalists and civilians alike.
The attack on the school, where civilians had sought refuge, has been condemned by Al Jazeera and human rights groups as a violation of international law. The network holds Israel accountable for targeting journalists and their families, citing Dahdouh’s own experience of losing his wife, daughter, son, and grandson in a previous Israeli airstrike.
This latest incident marks a tragic escalation in the already volatile conflict in Gaza. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has reported that 64 journalists have been killed and 13 injured while covering the war, making it the most dangerous period for the profession in 31 years.
The CPJ urges all parties to respect the rights of journalists and ensure their safety while reporting on the conflict. The killing of Abudaqa and the continued targeting of media personnel are unacceptable and must be investigated thoroughly.
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Article By Alicia Empire