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August 19, 2025 – Palestine –
On Monday, August 18, 2025, Israeli forces carried out heavy shelling across the Gaza Strip, striking both residential areas and displacement sites. Among the victims was Islam al-Kumi, a Palestinian journalist who lost his life when Israeli tanks bombarded a house belonging to the al-Ghazi family in the Sabra neighborhood of western Gaza. The strike killed al-Kumi and a woman, while others in the home sustained injuries. His death marks another devastating loss for Palestinian journalism, as reporters continue to face immense risks while documenting the war’s toll on civilians.
The attack on al-Kumi occurred during a day of widespread bombardments. Israeli forces simultaneously targeted people queuing for humanitarian aid to the east of Deir al-Balah and at distribution points in northern Gaza. These assaults killed and wounded dozens, further deepening the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding across the enclave. Local medical sources reported that hospitals received the bodies of at least 60 Palestinians and treated 344 injured individuals over the day, underscoring the ferocity of the assault.
Al-Kumi’s death is part of a broader pattern of Israeli strikes claiming the lives of journalists in Gaza. Since the renewal of military operations following Israel’s unilateral termination of the March 18 ceasefire, media workers have become frequent casualties. According to Palestinian authorities, the cumulative toll of this renewed offensive has already exceeded 10,460 Palestinians killed and 44,189 wounded. Journalists, who remain on the frontlines to ensure global awareness of the war’s realities, have repeatedly been among those targeted.
The killing of Islam al-Kumi highlights the extraordinary dangers faced by Gaza’s press corps. In continuing to report from one of the world’s deadliest environments for media workers, he and his colleagues sought to preserve the truth of what was happening on the ground. His loss adds to the mounting list of journalists who have paid with their lives for fulfilling this essential duty.
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