Al Jazeera journalist wounded in Israeli attack becomes permanently paralysed

Journalist Fadi Al-Wahidi, who was shot in the neck by the Israeli army, is in critical condition due to the severity of his injuries, which have left him permanently paralysed.

Al-Wahidi, a cameraman for Al Jazeera, was attacked by occupation soldiers on Wednesday while covering the Israeli siege in Jabalia, northern Gaza.

Despite wearing a press jacket, Al-Wahidi was shot by an Israeli quadcopter drone.

A live broadcast on Al Jazeera Arabic showed his colleagues rushing to his aid as he lay injured on the roadside.

The news channel's crew quickly transported him to Al-Ahli Hospital, where he remains in critical condition, according to reports.

Al-Wahidi’s colleagues have urgently requested his evacuation from Gaza for urgent medical treatment to save his life.

Despite his condition, the journalist, lying in his hospital bed, expressed his determination to return to work as soon as he recovers from his injuries.

This is not the first time the Israeli army has deliberately targeted journalists wearing press jackets without any provocation.

At least 176 journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, while covering the Israeli military offensive. They were clearly marked as journalists by the vests they wore.

According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, the occupation army arrested 36 journalists, later releasing four, while 32 remain detained.

Despite facing violence and threats, Palestinian journalists continue to report on Israeli war crimes, while all communication with Gaza has been cut off as Israeli forces blacked out phone and internet connections in the enclave.