The death toll of journalists in Gaza has reached a staggering 247 since October 7, 2023, following the killing of five more Palestinian media workers in Israeli airstrikes on the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has vehemently condemned the incident, describing it as a ‘shock’ that should immediately galvanise the global community to demand justice.
The journalists—Ahed Abu Aziz, Hussam al-Masri, Mariam Dagga, Mohammed Salama, and Moaz Abu Taha—were affiliated with major international outlets including Middle East Eye, the Associated Press, Al Jazeera, and Reuters. Their families and colleagues have expressed shock and grief over their untimely deaths. They were among at least 20 people killed in the twin strikes, which also claimed the lives of four health workers.
According to OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan, video footage from the scene shows a second airstrike targeting rescuers who had rushed to aid victims of the initial attack.
“We know that one of the five journalists appears to have been killed in the first air strike, while three others, including the woman journalist, appear to have been killed in the second air strike,” Al-Kheetan said.
He described the incident as “unacceptable,” adding that journalists are “the eyes and ears of the whole world” and must be protected under international law. The OHCHR is currently corroborating the details of the strikes, which occurred at southern Gaza’s largest medical facility.
The OHCHR demanded accountability as it emphasised that targeting journalists and hospitals is strictly forbidden under international humanitarian law.
While Israeli authorities have conducted various enquiries in the past, Al-Kheetan noted that “these investigations need to yield results.
Kheetan insists, “There needs to be justice. We haven’t seen results or accountability measures yet.”
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay also condemned the killings. He is calling for respect for UN Security Council Resolution 2222, which protects journalists and media professionals in conflict zones. UNESCO is currently providing emergency aid to journalists in Gaza, including psychosocial support, equipment, and training.
Responding, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed regret over the incident, characterising it as a “tragic mishap.” He promised the Israeli military would conduct a “thorough investigation” into the strikes.
Critics argue that repeated investigations have failed to produce meaningful accountability. Human rights advocates warn that the pattern of journalist deaths in Gaza raises serious concerns about deliberate targeting and impunity.
The bigger picture here is that the deaths of these five journalists are not isolated. They are part of a larger conflict in Gaza, which has been ongoing since [start date of the war]. Since the war began, nearly 250 media workers have been killed, making Gaza one of the deadliest places in the world for journalists. Many were reporting from hospitals, refugee camps, and frontline areas when they were struck.
International watchdogs stress that the scale and frequency of these killings demand an independent inquiry and, more importantly, the establishment of stronger global mechanisms to protect journalists in conflict zones.
In conclusion, as the war in Gaza continues, there is every indication that journalism is under fire as the role of journalists becomes increasingly taxing, critical, and perilous.
The UN’s call for justice is not just about the five lives lost this week but about safeguarding the principle that truth-tellers must never be targets. Until accountability is enforced, the silence around these deaths risks becoming permanent.