DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Recent Israeli airstrikes on a hospital have tragically claimed the lives of four journalists, including Mariam Dagga, a freelancer for The Associated Press. This incident has drawn attention to the alarming risks that journalists face in conflict zones.
Health officials reported that two missiles struck Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, resulting in 19 deaths. This conflict has been notably deadly for media workers; about 192 journalists have lost their lives in Gaza over the past 22 months. In contrast, 18 journalists have died during the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Mariam Dagga, 33, was a dedicated visual journalist who often reported from Nasser Hospital, highlighting the struggle of doctors to save children from starvation. She leaves behind a 13-year-old son, who was evacuated earlier in the conflict.
The Associated Press expressed deep sorrow over Dagga’s death, stating their commitment to ensuring the safety of journalists in such perilous conditions. Al Jazeera also confirmed that one of its journalists, Mohammed Salam, was killed in the same strike. Other news outlets reported that a cameraman and a photographer from Reuters were affected as well.
The Israeli military has stated that they will investigate the incident and clarified that they do not intentionally target journalists. However, critics like Thibaut Bruttin from Reporters Without Borders argue that media safety is deteriorating. He noted that journalists face risks from both indiscriminate strikes and targeted attacks.
Some Israeli officials have claimed that certain journalists are linked to militant groups, which complicates the situation further. For instance, Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif was killed earlier this month, with allegations surrounding his involvement in Hamas being dismissed by both him and the network.
Coverage of the conflict is primarily reliant on local journalists and residents due to strict restrictions on international media access imposed by Israel. These reporters often face the same challenges as civilians, including food shortages and a lack of safety.
The atmosphere for journalists in Gaza is fraught with dangers, making their work even more essential yet increasingly perilous. Dagga’s last social media post highlighted the risks she faced, serving as a stark reminder of the courage it takes to report from a war zone.
For more on press freedom and the safety of journalists, you can visit Reporters Without Borders.
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General news, 2024-2025 Mideast Wars, Gaza Strip, Associated Press, Israel, News media, Mohammed Salam, World news, Hamas, Anas al-Sharif, Middle East
