Israel kills 1 more journalist in Gaza, bringing death toll of press members to 184

By Anadolu staff

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) — Another Palestinian journalist has been killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said on Friday.

In a statement, the Gaza-based Government Media Office mourned Khaled Abu Zir, a journalist working for a local radio broadcaster, who was killed by the Israeli army.

It did not specify where in the Palestinian enclave he was killed.

The statement urged the international community and international press groups to deter Israel and prosecute it before the international courts for its crimes committed against the Palestinians and journalists in particular.

Abu Zir's death brings the death toll among journalists in Gaza killed by Israel since Oct. 7 to 184, the Government Media Office noted.

Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the killings of journalists in Gaza since Oct. 7 last year have been "unacceptable," urging the protection of the press.

Israel has continued a devastating offensive on Gaza since October last year despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 43,500 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 102,700 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to reach a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas have failed over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to halt the war.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its deadly war on Gaza.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar