Palestine: Israeli military steps up targeting of media offices in Gaza

The Israeli military has intensified its targeted attacks against media offices in Gaza. On 13 May, Israeli forces bombed the Al-Shorouk Tower, which hosts the offices and headquarters of 15 media institutions. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) deplores the systematic attacks on media by the Israeli military and urges the international community to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against media freedom.

Palestinians assess the damage in a building caused by Israeli air strikes, in Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip. Credits: MAHMUD HAMS / AFP

According to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS), the media tower hosts the offices of several international and regional media, including: Russia Today, Russia Today English, ZDF- Germany, Dubai TV, Aljazeera English, Press TV, Al Hayat Aljadeedah Newspaper, Al Aqsa TV, Al Aqsa Radio, Al Quds Today TV, Dubai Channel 12, Al Aqsa Visual, Tayf media company, Huna Al Quds Media company and the Palestine Company for Media Production.

The moment of the targeted bombing was caught by cameras on the ground.

 

It is the second time the Israeli military has deliberately targeted media premises since it launched its offensive in the Gaza strip. On the night of 11 May, the Israeli military bombed the Al-Jawhara towerwhich hosts the offices of 13 media institutions and NGOs.

The IFJ strongly condemned the attack and called on the international community to take urgent action to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against journalists.

In addition to the targeted bombings, the Israeli authorities have beaten and arrested media workers reporting across the West Bank.

 

Violence against journalists is also affecting Israeli media workers. The IFJ condemned an attack on journalists working for Israel's public broadcaster Kan News were beaten by Jewish extremists in Tel Aviv on Thursday, May 13, according to media reports,

The IFJ has repeatedly called on the Israeli government to investigate attacks and targeted killings of Palestinian media workers. The IFJ also denounced the situation to the United Nations, submitting formal complaints to the Special Rapporteurs in December 2020. The IFJ believes that the lack of transparent investigations and the rampant impunity for those who commit these crimes are a breeding ground for continued attacks against media across Palestine and Israel.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: “The targeted bombing of media facilities is a shameful attempt by the Israeli military to silence media reporting of its violence in the Gaza strip and it violates international law. The deliberate and systematic targeting of media workers must stop. The impunity which those who deliberately attack journalists enjoy means media workers face an imminent further threat of being targeted. The IFJ will demand justice and an end to the threats in all local, regional and international spheres to ensure that none of these crimes go unpunished”.

For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 16

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 146 countries

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