Why it matters:
This attack brings the number of journalists killed in Gaza to 238 since October 2023, representing what media watchdogs call Israel's deliberate targeting of Press staff in violation of international humanitarian law.
What they're saying:
The statement from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting World Service:
"In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The World Service of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) strongly condemns the brutal assassination of the martyrs Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, Mohammed Noufal, and Mohammed al-Khaldi in last night's attack on journalists' tents near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza by the Zionist regime.
This criminal act, part of a series of targeted attacks on media personnel in Gaza since October 7, 2023, constitutes not only an attack on defenseless civilians but an assault on truth, freedom of expression, and humanity's fundamental right to access independent information about the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Under international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I (1977), journalists are recognized as civilians with full immunity in conflict zones. Attacking them represents a clear 'war crime' prosecutable under Article 8 of the ICC Statute. Yet, the Zionist regime continues its policy of eliminating journalists with impunity granted by Western powers, blatantly violating international humanitarian law.
This cowardly assassination reflects an organized effort to silence the truth in Gaza and prevent the world from hearing the Palestinians' narrative. While press freedom organizations like CPJ and RSF have repeatedly warned about unprecedented journalist killings and demanded investigations, international inaction has emboldened the occupation regime.
Targeting journalists flagrantly violates Article 19 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Today's world desperately needs courageous journalists reporting the truth, and silencing them constitutes an attack on freedom and justice.
We demand that the UN, Human Rights Council, ICC, and press freedom organizations investigate this crime without double standards. We urge global media to break their silence and ensure Palestinian journalists' blood isn't forgotten.
IRIB pledges to continue exposing the Zionist regime's crimes while expressing deep solidarity with the families of the 238 journalist martyrs in Gaza.
The voice of truth will not be silenced. The blood of these martyrs will deepen the roots of freedom in our hearts.
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting World Service
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