An Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip overnight claimed the lives of five Palestinian journalists outside the Al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The Israeli military asserted that the individuals targeted were, in fact, militants masquerading as reporters, affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group. The journalists, who were associated with the Al-Quds Today television channel, were reportedly in a vehicle when the strike occurred.
In response to the incident, the Israeli military cited intelligence reports and a list of Islamic Jihad operatives found by soldiers, which allegedly confirmed the men’s connections to the group. The Islamic Jihad, a smaller extremist ally of Hamas, played a role in the October 2023 attack on southern Israel that led to the ongoing conflict.
Footage from the scene captured the remains of a van, marked with press insignia, engulfed in flames. The journalists’ funeral drew a crowd of mourners, with many visibly emotional as they gathered to pay their respects. Bodies were wrapped in shrouds, with press vests draped over them, symbolizing their journalistic roles.
The broader conflict has resulted in substantial casualties and humanitarian impacts, with over 45,000 Palestinian deaths reported by the Health Ministry. Israel’s military actions continue as part of its retaliation against Hamas-led incursions, which initiated the latest wave of violence. The Israeli Defense Forces have estimated that around 17,000 militants have been killed in their operations.
Meanwhile, Israel has restricted access to the Gaza Strip for foreign journalists, allowing entry only through military embeds, and accused Al Jazeera reporters of militant affiliations, allegations that the Qatar-based network denies. The confrontation has displaced significant portions of Gaza’s population, forcing many into makeshift camps under harsh winter conditions.
