The International Humanitarian Law of 2005 stipulates in Article 34 of Chapter The text of UN Security Council Resolution 173B: Condemning deliberate attacks against journalists, media employees and individuals associated with them during armed conflicts. Equating the safety and security of journalists, media outlets, and auxiliary crews in areas of armed conflict with the protection of civilians there.
- Considering independent journalists and reporters as civilians who must be respected and treated as such. – Considering media facilities and equipment as civilian objects that may not be the target of any attacks or reprisals.
The Zionist occupation forces did not respect this decision, but officially considered the Palestinian press to be enemies for spreading the truth, so they began targeting the press and the families of journalists. The International Right to the Press Law stipulates that journalists are free as long as they do not commit anything contrary to war or so-called terrorist acts. What the occupation has shown in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood so far is that they directly target the press. There are those who died and others from their families who died as a result of direct targeting by air and land.
The last thing journalist Rushdi al-Sarraj said before his martyrdom on October 22nd, whose martyrdom sparked widespread controversy and great sadness for Gaza, the press and the Arab world, was: “We will not leave, we will leave Gaza to heaven and to heaven only.” He then joined his companion, journalist Yasser Murtaja, who preceded him in martyrdom. 5 years ago on April 7, 2018. Among them is Ibrahim Falafi, the cameraman for Ain Media Agency, who rose to prominence on October 7th of this year, with the beginning of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, while filming what was happening at the Beit Hanoun checkpoint (Erez Crossing). He is the son of a leader in the Palestinian factions, Muhammad Lafi. Then his friend, journalist Rushdi Al-Sarraj, a photographer for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Refugees (UNRWA), joined him. Only 15 days later, on October 3, the home of journalist Muhammad Abu Hatab, 52 years old, was targeted by an Israeli strike that hit his leg in Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. And in his last message on the air. Before his death, Abu Hatab said, “Hospital refrigerators are still full, and there are still citizens and martyrs under the rubble who were bombed and whose homes were rammed over their heads.”
Then, in a horrific event, the family of journalist Ali Jadallah was targeted. He lost his father, mother, brothers, and sister, but he remains faithful to this day in documenting the Gaza war. In a sad event, I felt sad to hear the news of the targeting of the family of journalist Wael Al-Dahdouh, which resulted in the killing of his wife, children, and grandson. Al Jazeera and his fellow journalists in Gaza mourned this news. One of the strengths of one of the most powerful figures in the Palestinian press, Wael Al-Dahdouh, is that he performed the funeral prayer for his family, then went out to cover the rest of the news of the war immediately. He expressed his strength in front of the cameras with the phrase, “Sorry, they will take revenge on us among the children.” Yesterday evening was difficult for journalist Muhammad Al-Aloul, as the occupation targeted his house, which houses his children and brothers in Deir Al-Balah.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate announced the names of the martyrs:
* Journalist Ahmed Shehab, programmer for Voice of Prisoners Radio
* Photojournalist Muhammad Al-Salhi, photographer for the “Fourth Authority” agency.
* Freelance photojournalist Muhammad Fayez Abu Matar
* Journalist Hisham Al-Nawajha, photographer of “Khabar” agency
* Photojournalist Ibrahim Lafi from Ain Media Media Foundation.
* Journalist Saeed Al-Taweel, editor-in-chief of the Fifth News Agency
* Journalist Muhammad Jarghoun from Smart Media Agency.
* Freelance journalist Asaad Shamlikh.
* Journalist Muhammad Abu Rizq, Khabar Agency photographer.
* Freelance journalist Salam Mima, whose death was confirmed after she was pulled from under the rubble, three days after her home was destroyed.
* Journalist Hossam Mubarak, broadcaster on Al-Aqsa Channel
* Journalist Abdel Hadi Habib “Al-Manara Media Agency and HQ Media Agency” and a number of his family members in a missile strike that targeted his house
* Journalist Muhammad Baalousha “Palestine Today Channel” with his family His family in a missile strike that targeted his house
* Journalist Issam Bahar, Al-Aqsa TV, and his wife, and his family members were injured in a missile strike that targeted his house
* Director Samih Al-Nadi, Al-Aqsa TV
* Journalist Khalil Abu Athrah, Al-Aqsa TV photographer, after he was targeted with his brother in the Al-Nasr neighborhood area, north of Rafah.
Journalists whose traces are missing:
* Photojournalist Nidal Al-Wahidi, who works as a producer with Al-Najah TV.
* Journalist Haitham Abdel Wahed from Ain Media Media Foundation.
*Journalist Muhammad Al-Jaja.
Is publishing the truth a crime? Is journalism itself a crime? The crime is whoever suppresses the truth and who does not support the international right of the press.
