Deir al-Balah (Gaza Strip), Aug 25 (AP) — Israeli airstrikes on a hospital in southern Gaza tragically resulted in the deaths of four journalists on Monday, including a freelancer who collaborated with The Associated Press, as noted by health officials.
Mariam Dagga, aged 33 and a visual journalist, had freelanced for the AP during the conflict and contributed to other news agencies. The AP expressed its profound shock and sorrow over the loss of Dagga and her fellow journalists.
Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis was struck by two missiles, as reported by medical authorities. In total, 19 lives were claimed, according to Zaher al-Waheidi, the head of the Gaza Health Ministry's records department.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has marked one of the deadliest periods for media personnel, with at least 192 journalists killed in Gaza over the 22-month confrontation, based on data from the Committee to Protect Journalists. In contrast, 18 journalists have been killed in Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, according to CPJ records.
Dagga, who herself has a 12-year-old son evacuated from Gaza earlier in the conflict, frequently operated from Nasser Hospital. Her recent work included documenting the efforts of medical professionals striving to prevent children from succumbing to starvation.
Independent Arabia, the Arabic edition of the British Independent, confirmed that Dagga was among their contributors.
"We are exerting every effort to ensure the safety of our journalists in Gaza as they continue their vital eyewitness reporting under arduous and perilous conditions," stated the AP.
Al Jazeera verified that Mohammed Salam, one of its journalists, was among those killed in the strike on Nasser. Additionally, Reuters reported the death of cameraman Hussam al-Masri, with photographer Hatem Khaled sustaining injuries. The identity of the fourth journalist has not yet been disclosed.
The Israeli military acknowledged conducting a strike near Nasser Hospital and assured an investigation into the incident. The military expressed regret for harm to uninvolved individuals and emphasized that it does not specifically target journalists.
Thibaut Bruttin, director general of Reporters Without Borders, remarked that this situation represents a significant regression in safeguarding reporters. He highlighted that journalists have suffered both indiscriminate and intentional attacks, with the latter being admitted by the Israeli military.
"Efforts appear focused on silencing independent voices attempting to shed light on Gaza," Bruttin observed.
There have been instances, such as with Al Jazeera's correspondent Anas al-Sharif, where Israel has accused journalists of terrorist affiliations, leading to targeted actions. The military claimed that al-Sharif was involved with a Hamas cell—a charge Al Jazeera and al-Sharif had previously refuted as unfounded.
Given the restricted access, international media coverage heavily relies on Palestinian journalists and locals within Gaza. Israel often scrutinizes the allegiances and potential biases of these journalists, although no alternative access is permitted.
In the challenging landscape they report on, many journalists in Gaza also face similar difficulties, including a shortage of food for themselves and their families.
In one of Dagga's poignant final social media posts on Sunday, she shared a selfie.
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