Targeted from Above: Israeli Drone Strikes Kill Journalists in Gaza Despite Visible Press Markings

April 12, 2024 – Palestine/Israel –

A joint investigation by ARIJ, Forbidden Stories, and global media outlets has uncovered disturbing evidence that Israeli drone strikes have killed or injured at least 18 journalists in Gaza since October 2023, many of them marked as press. The report, part of the Gaza Project, highlights how Israeli drone operations—designed for precision—are being used in ways that increasingly appear to intentionally target journalists, not protect civilians.

Among the most shocking cases is that of Mahmoud al-Basos, a drone operator for Reuters and Anadolu Agency, who was killed on March 15, 2024, during a declared ceasefire while filming reconstruction efforts. His camera was found beside his body. In another incident, Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa was killed in December 2023 by a drone strike, his mutilated body discovered beside his “PRESS” vest.

These incidents are not isolated. Journalists Anas Al-Sharif and Mahmoud Sabbah were also targeted and wounded while simply trying to find internet signals to transmit reports of famine and destruction. All were operating visibly as members of the press, wearing marked vests and carrying press equipment, often in daylight and open areas.

The investigation raises serious legal and ethical questions. Israeli drones are equipped with advanced sensors and are reportedly supported by artificial intelligence systems like “Lavender”, which compile targeting lists. Experts argue such systems can distinguish journalists from combatants, suggesting possible deliberate targeting—a violation of international humanitarian law. Drone experts confirm that with current technology, it is nearly impossible to misidentify marked press in the field.

Despite mounting evidence, Israel has failed to provide transparent investigations or accountability. Al Jazeera has submitted formal complaints to the International Criminal Court, alleging war crimes. Press freedom organizations worldwide are calling for independent international investigations into the drone strikes and the broader pattern of violence against journalists in Gaza.

In a war where communication lines are severed and foreign media access is restricted, local journalists have become the only eyes on the ground. Their deliberate targeting is not only an attack on individual lives—it is an assault on truth itself.

Reference – 

Death from Above: How Israeli Drones are Killing Journalists in Gaza | ARIJ