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July 31, 2024 – Palestine/Israel –
On 31 July 2024, Al Jazeera correspondent Ismail al‑Ghoul (27) and cameraman Rami al‑Refee were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting their vehicle while covering the aftermath of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination in Gaza’s Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City.
The pair had been filming live near Haniyeh’s residence when they made a last call to their news desk reporting an earlier strike and were advised to leave immediately. Mere minutes later, their marked press vehicle came under direct attack, resulting in a fatal strike that decapitated both journalists, and marked the fourth Al Jazeera team loss since the conflict began.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) strongly urged Israel to explain whether the strike specifically targeted these journalists, emphasizing that “journalists are civilians and should never be targeted” and demanding a transparent investigation. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the strike as part of an alarming pattern: Iraqi Kurdistan is not the only region where journalists face rising danger—Gaza remains the world’s deadliest war zone for media workers.
Al Jazeera vehemently rejected Israeli claims, labeling al‑Ghoul a Hamas operative, condemning the allegations as unfounded attempts to justify what the network called a “deliberate assassination.” The broadcaster highlighted that al‑Ghoul was briefly detained by the Israel Defense Forces in March 2024—an incident that contradicts claims of militant affiliation.
The strike brings the confirmed death toll to 113 journalists killed in the Gaza conflict, making it, according to CPJ, the deadliest war for media since 1992.. UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, stressed that the two were identifiable as press, calling for full accountability.
This tragedy underscores a persistent truth: Gaza has become the most perilous place for journalists in the 21st century. The targeting of media personnel raises profound questions about the protection of non-combatants and the transparency of military operations in conflict zones. Press freedom advocates continue to demand international investigations to stop this deadly trend.
Reference –
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/31/al-jazeera-journalist-cameraman-killed-in-gaza-attack
