I condemn the killing of journalists Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Al-Khaldi and call for a thorough and transparent investigation. Targeting journalists covering conflicts is unacceptable and against international humanitarian law. With a heavy mind, I reiterate my call to respect UN Security Council Resolution 2222 unanimously adopted in 2015 on the protection of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel as civilians in situations of conflict, a status recently reaffirmed in the UN Pact for the Future,
Audrey AzoulayUNESCO Director-General
Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh worked as journalists, while Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa worked as camera operators, all for international media outlet, Al Jazeera. Mohammed Al-Khaldi was a freelance photojournalist. They were reportedly killed in an attack on a tent used by media personnel, at the entrance of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
UNESCO has reported the deaths of at least 62 journalists and media workers in the line of work in Palestine since October 2023, which does not include deaths in circumstances unrelated to their profession. UNESCO provides emergency assistance to journalists in the Gaza Strip, including psychosocial assistance, access to working equipment, and capacity-building.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
