Killing of Gaza Journalists Must Shock the World: UN

A woman carries the body of a newborn killed in an attack on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza.

The killing of five more Palestinian journalists in Gaza by Israeli forces—bringing the total killed to 247 since the war began—should shock the world into action, the UN human rights office said on Tuesday.

OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said condemnation of the two strikes by Israeli forces on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis now needs to be channelled into a demand for accountability and justice for all those killed.

At least 20 people died, including four health workers and five journalists, later named as Ahed Abu Aziz, Hussam al-Masri, Mariam Dagga, Mohammed Salama, and Moaz Abu Taha. They worked for outlets including Middle East Eye, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

Video taken at the scene shows a second strike apparently targeting rescuers who had arrived after the initial attack on southern Gaza’s largest medical facility on Monday.

“We know that one of the five journalists appears to have been killed in the first air strike, while three others, including the woman journalist, appear to have been killed in the second air strike. This is a shock and unacceptable,” said Mr. Al-Kheetan.

“At least 247 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023,” he continued.

“These journalists are the eyes and ears of the world and must be protected. This raises many questions about the targeting of journalists. All such incidents must be investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable.”

He added that OHCHR is continuing to corroborate the factual details of Monday’s strikes, noting that targeting journalists and hospitals is forbidden under international law.

The head of the UN cultural agency, UNESCO—which advocates for press freedom and journalists’ safety—also condemned the killings, reiterating her call to respect UN Security Council Resolution 2222, unanimously adopted in 2015 to protect journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel as civilians in situations of conflict.

Audrey Azoulay said UNESCO is providing emergency assistance to journalists in the Gaza Strip, including psychosocial support, access to working equipment, and capacity-building.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the killings, expressing regret and describing the incident as a “tragic mishap.” He said the Israeli military would carry out “a thorough investigation.”

The OHCHR spokesperson told journalists in Geneva that Israeli authorities had carried out investigations in the past, as the occupying power.

“But these investigations need to yield results. There needs to be justice. We haven't seen results or accountability measures yet,” he said.