3 journalists in Gaza killed by Israeli air strikes

An Israeli air strike killed three journalists in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The civil defence agency said the strike hit the Al-Zahra area in the southwest of Gaza City, killing Mohammed Salah Qashta, Abdul Raouf Shaat, and Anas Ghneim. 

The bodies were transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. In a statement, the Israeli military said the airstrike was aimed at “suspects” operating a drone allegedly linked to Hamas in central Gaza. They claimed that the drone was a threat to Israeli soldiers.

However, the eyewitnesses claimed that the journalists were using a drone to film humanitarian aid distribution by the ERC when a strike hit them. 

The ERC group confirmed one of its vehicles was targeted, killing three people during the aid distribution.

AFP footage showed the vehicle badly burnt by the strike, with debris scattered all around. Hamas condemned the attack as a “dangerous escalation” and a violation of the ceasefire. 

Furthermore, the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate criticized the strike, stating that Israel deliberately targeted the journalists, violating the ceasefire.