Three journalists died on Wednesday in an Israeli strike in the Al-Zahra area of central Gaza, according to Gaza's civil defense agency. The Israeli military stated it struck individuals operating a drone affiliated with Hamas, which it deemed a threat. Eyewitnesses reported the journalists were filming aid distribution by an Egyptian relief organization when a vehicle accompanying them was targeted.
Incident Details
Gaza's civil defense agency identified the journalists killed as Abed Shaat, Mohammed Salah Qashta, and Anas Ghneim. Another report from first responders listed the names as Mohammed Salah Qeshta, Anas Ghunaim, and Abdul Raouf Shaath, with slight spelling variations for the common names.
Accounts of the Strike
According to an eyewitness report to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the journalists were utilizing a drone to photograph aid distribution by the Egyptian Relief Committee in the Gaza Strip when a strike targeted a vehicle accompanying them. Mohammed Mansour, a spokesman for the Egyptian Relief Committee, confirmed that one of its vehicles was targeted during a humanitarian mission, resulting in three fatalities. Mansour stated that all committee vehicles bear its logo and that the vehicle was targeted while individuals were filming the Netzarim camp. The journalists were reportedly associated with this Egyptian relief organization.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement indicating that troops "identified several suspects who operated a drone affiliated with Hamas in the central Gaza Strip, in a manner that posed a threat to their safety." The IDF stated it then "struck the suspects who activated the drone" and added that details of the incident are currently under review.
Victim Information
Abed Shaat, as identified by Gaza's civil defense agency, had worked as a cameraman for CBS News and other outlets for several years and regularly contributed to AFP, though he was not on assignment for AFP at the time of the strike. Shaat was 30 years old and had married two weeks prior to the incident. Following the ceasefire in October, he worked with the Egyptian Humanitarian Committee in the Gaza Strip, documenting humanitarian and relief operations. Colleagues at CBS News reportedly remembered Shaat for his ability to document events under challenging conditions.
Reactions and Broader Context
The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate condemned the strike, characterizing it as part of a "systematic and deliberate policy pursued by the Israeli occupation to intentionally target Palestinian journalists."
Separately, Gaza's health ministry (identified as Hamas-run by Source 2) reported that eight additional Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks across the territory on Wednesday, marking one of the deadliest days since the ceasefire began. These fatalities included two children. Medics reported that Israeli tank fire in central Gaza killed three individuals, including a 10-year-old boy. In the southern Khan Younis area, a 13-year-old boy and a woman were reported killed by Israeli gunfire.
The Israeli military also stated on Wednesday morning that its troops had killed a "terrorist who crossed the Yellow Line and approached" them, without specifying a location. The Yellow Line delineates territory in Gaza remaining under Israeli control as part of the ceasefire agreement.
Since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas commenced on October 10, Gaza's health ministry reports at least 466 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. Over the same period, the Israeli military reported three of its soldiers have been killed in attacks by Palestinian armed groups.