Israeli air strike kills AFP freelancer and two other journalists in Gaza

An Israeli air strike killed an AFP freelancer and two other journalists in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency, while the Israeli military said it had targeted individuals operating a drone linked to Hamas.

In a statement, the civil defence agency said the bodies of the three journalists were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah after the strike hit the Al-Zahra area, southwest of Gaza City. The victims were identified as Mohammed Salah Qashta, Abdul Raouf Shaat and Anas Ghneim.

The agency said the journalists were travelling in a civilian vehicle when it was targeted by an Israeli drone strike.

AFP confirmed that Abdul Raouf Shaat had regularly contributed to the agency as a photo and video journalist, but said he was not on assignment for AFP at the time of the incident.

In a separate statement, the Israeli military said its troops had identified several “suspects” operating a drone affiliated with Hamas in the central Gaza Strip. The military said the drone posed a threat to Israeli forces and was struck in a precise operation.