Silencing Gaza: Are Journalists Being Targeted?

Since the war began, over 240 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces. This has caused international outrage. Many believe these killings are a way to stop the world from seeing what is happening in Gaza.

The Price of Reporting

Several journalists working for Al Jazeera have been killed:

• In December 2023, Salar Abu Dhaka was killed by an Israeli drone strike.
  
• In January 2024, Hamza Al Dahdu was killed in an Israeli attack.
  
• In March, Hosam Shabbat was killed in northern Gaza.
  
• In April, Anasal Sharif and three colleagues were killed in Gaza City.
  

Journalists in war zones are protected under the Geneva Conventions. These attacks raise questions about violations of international law.

According to freelance journalist Taghreed El-Khodary, Israel wants "to kill the picture" and "kill the human stories." By targeting journalists, they aim to control the narrative coming out of Gaza.

El-Khodary notes that international media often trust the Israeli narrative without question. She finds this shocking, especially considering the young reporters who have been killed. These reporters, like Miam Abu and Muaz, used social media to share human stories that touched many people. Their reporting helped some children get medical treatment outside of Gaza.

"They want to kill the picture... They want to kill the human stories."

Israel has stopped international journalists from entering Gaza since the beginning of the war. This makes the work of Palestinian reporters even more important. Yet, these are the very people being targeted.

El-Khodary is troubled that mainstream media outlets aren't expressing more outrage. She believes they are using the work of these young, brave journalists without acknowledging the risks they face.

El-Khodary feels that the Western media is sending a message that Palestinian lives do not matter. She points out that important information, such as Israel's cases at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is often left out of news coverage.

"The western media is telling us our lives do not matter."

She feels powerless and believes that the world needs to pay attention to what is happening.

The targeting of journalists in Gaza is a serious issue that needs attention. By silencing these voices, the world risks losing sight of the human cost of the conflict. It is important to support journalists, demand accountability, and ensure that all lives are valued equally.

Thanks for your attention 

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