Three Palestinian journalists have been killed in an Israeli strike in central Gaza, first responders report. The victims, Mohammed Salah Qeshta, Anas Ghunaim, and Abdul Raouf Shaath, were struck while their car was in the al-Zahra area, according to Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence agency. They are believed to have been working for an Egyptian relief organization.
The Israeli military justified the attack, claiming it targeted several suspects who operated a drone affiliated with Hamas. The incident is reportedly under investigation.
This strike was part of a broader escalation; the Hamas-run health ministry reported that another eight people, including two children, were also killed across Gaza on Wednesday. Furthermore, reports indicate that three individuals, including a young boy, were killed by Israeli tank fire in central Gaza.
Since a ceasefire began on October 10, at least 466 Palestinians have died, funeral services have been held for the slain journalists, marking yet another chapter in the escalating conflict.
Additionally, it's noted that the car the journalists were in bore the logo of the Egyptian Relief Committee. They had been documenting the organization's efforts with displaced persons... Hamas called the action a serious breach of the ceasefire.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has labeled the strike a war crime, arguing that it demonstrates a systematic attempt to suppress Palestinian voices and conceal injustices in Gaza. Since the start of the war, more than 200 journalists have been killed in what has been described as one of the deadliest conflicts for media personnel.
As international news outlets depend on local reporters for coverage in Gaza, the risks of reporting from the area remain alarmingly high. The continuing hostilities have resulted from a military response initiated by Israel after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and many hostages.
