Al Jazeera criticizes Israel for allegedly targeting journalists in Gaza

Ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas

Al Jazeera strongly condemns Israel for targeting and causing severe injuries to two of its journalists in a strike on Tuesday.

Reporter Ismail Abu Omar is at risk of losing his life, and cameraman Ahmad Matar sustained severe injuries in the attack in Gaza's southern city of Rafah.

Al Jazeera deems this incident as a deliberate act against journalists, labeling it a "fully fledged crime" aimed at obstructing media coverage of the ongoing conflict. The network asserts that this strike is part of a pattern of intentional targeting of Al Jazeera crews by the Israeli occupation. Abu Omar lost his right leg in the drone strike, with efforts being made to save the left one.

The U.S., Israel's ally, expressed condolences and emphasized the need to protect journalists, stating that journalists risk their lives to bring the truth, and their protection is essential. The injured journalists have been admitted to the European Hospital in Khan Yunis city, which is facing overwhelming challenges in terms of capacity and supplies.

Hamas' media office strongly condemns the Israeli army's targeting of the Al Jazeera crew. The Israeli military has not immediately commented on the strike, stating it will check the incident details. Two other Al Jazeera journalists were killed during the conflict, and the Committee to Protect Journalists has recorded the deaths of at least 85 journalists and media workers since the war began on October 7.

Source: The Peninsula