"Palestinian journalists are being targeted for a long time," says ambassador Abdullah Abu Shawesh

New Delhi [India], August 12 (ANI): Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, has expressed deep concern over the ongoing targeting of Palestinian journalists amid escalating conflicts.
"Palestinian journalists were targeted... Anas al-Sharif and his colleagues were targeted today... Palestinian journalists are being targeted for a long time, not only during this war," said Abdullah Abu Shawesh.
He also acknowledged the support from Indian lawmakers, saying, "We highly appreciate this... Not only these, but other Parliamentarians also used to show support and solidarity with the Palestinians."
This solidarity comes as the international community strongly condemns Israel's drone strike that killed five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza, including a local freelance reporter, according to Al Jazeera.
The drone attack late on Sunday struck a tent for journalists positioned outside the main gate of Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital, killing seven people. Among the dead were Al Jazeera correspondents Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa and Mohammed Noufal.
A sixth journalist, Mohammad al-Khaldi, a local freelance reporter, was also reported killed in the air attack. Reporters Without Borders said three more journalists were wounded in the same strike, Al Jazeera reported.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned Israel's killing of five Al Jazeera journalists and called on US and international media workers to "stand in solidarity" with their Palestinian colleagues.
"Israel's ongoing campaign of targeted assassinations of Palestinian journalists is a war crime, plain and simple," CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said in a statement, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
The United Nations also condemned the killing of six Al Jazeera journalists. In a post on X, UN Human Rights said, "Gaza: We condemn the killing by Israeli military of 6 Palestinian journalists by targeting their tent, in grave breach of international humanitarian law. Israel must respect & protect all civilians, including journalists. At least 242 Palestinian journalists were killed in Gaza since 7 Oct 2023. We call for immediate, safe & unhindered access to Gaza for all journalists."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, offered condolences to "the Al Jazeera family" and called for an investigation. "We have always been very clear in condemning all killings of journalists," Dujarric said, as quoted by Al Jazeera. "In Gaza, and everywhere, media workers should be able to carry out their work freely and without harassment, intimidation or fear of being targeted."
The Palestinian mission to the UN condemned the attack, accusing Israel of "deliberately assassinating" al-Sharif and Qreiqeh, describing them as among the "last remaining journalists" in Gaza.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei urged the world to hold Israel accountable after the killing of the five Al Jazeera staff. "A press badge is no shield against genocidal war criminals who fear the world witnessing their atrocities," said Baghaei, accusing Israel of assassinating the journalists "in cold blood", as per Al Jazeera.
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani strongly criticised Israel over the killing of Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza, calling it a shocking violation of press freedom. In a post on social media, he added, "May God have mercy on journalists Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, and their colleagues," Al Jazeera quoted.
Al Jazeera Media Network condemned "in the strongest terms" the killing of its journalists by Israeli forces. In a statement, the network said the Israeli military "admitted to their crimes" and deliberately directed the attack at the journalists' location. It called the assassination "another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom".
"Israel's pattern of labelling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom," said the CPJ's regional director, Sara Qudah, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
Amnesty International also condemned the strike as a war crime under international law and remembered al-Sharif as a "brave and extraordinary" reporter. In 2024, al-Sharif was awarded Amnesty International Australia's Human Rights Defender Award for his resilience and commitment to press freedom, as per Al Jazeera.
Reporters Without Borders condemned the "acknowledged murder by the Israeli army" of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif in Gaza, saying the military admitted to targeting him. RSF said the attack echoed the 2023 killing of Al Jazeera reporter Ismail al-Ghoul, who was also labelled a "terrorist" by Israel.
Mike Balsamo, president of the US-based National Press Club, said the killing of journalists is "a loss felt far beyond one newsroom" and called for a "thorough and transparent" investigation.
Since October 2023, Israel has killed 269 journalists in Gaza, marking the deadliest conflict ever recorded for reporters, as per Al Jazeera's report. (ANI)