GENEVA - UN experts* are outraged by the killing of six more Palestinian journalists - including two women - in multiple Israeli strikes in Gaza over the past 10 days.
Mariam Abu Daqqa, a visual journalist who freelanced for the Associated Press was among those killed in two Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on 25 August, as were Al Jazeera Journalist Mohammed Salama, freelance journalist Moaz Abu Taha, Reuters photojournalist Hussam al-Masri, and Ahmed Abu Aziz who worked for several media outlets including the Middle East Eye.
Islam Abed, a correspondent from Al-Quds Today TV, was killed in a strike on a residential apartment in Gaza city on 31 August. Her husband and child were also reportedly killed in that strike.
At least 248 journalists have now been killed in Gaza, more than in any other conflict in modern times.
"On the one hand, Israel continues to deny access to any international media and on the other, it kills with impunity local journalists who are the world's only professional lens into the agony of genocide and famine unfolding in Gaza," the experts said.
"Even as the journalists starve, lose family members, sleep in tents and get targeted by the Israeli military like the rest of Gaza's population, they have continued to courageously bear witness to atrocities committed by the Israeli military," they said.
The killings come as Israel escalates its military takeover of Gaza city and barely two weeks after six journalists, including Gaza's chief Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-Sharif, were deliberately targeted and killed in a strike near Al Shifa Hospital.
"We demand independent criminal investigations into the killings and attacks on journalists in Gaza and across the Palestinian territory and full reparation and justice for their families and an end to the unprecedented impunity enjoyed by Israel," the experts said.
"We also demand that Israel grant full and free access to international media. Their presence will give a measure of safety to local journalists and will keep the reports flowing into the world," said the experts.
"We urge the international community - member states as well as the key organs of the United Nations to act without delay before Israel shuts down the last voices in Gaza."
The experts are in contact with the Government of Israel on this matter.
