Israeli army kills Palestinian journalist in Gaza, bringing media worker deaths to 152 since Oct. 7

By Yusuf Alioglu

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - Israeli forces killed a journalist in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, bringing the total number of Palestinian media workers’ deaths since the Israel-Hamas war broke out last October to 152.

The Government Media Office in Gaza identified the victim as Salim Al-Sharafa, who worked as a presenter and journalist for local broadcaster Al-Aqsa TV.

The statement, however, did not elaborate on how or where he was killed.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the war in Gaza has become “the deadliest for journalists” since it began documenting journalist killings worldwide in 1992.

In February, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization, said the war in Gaza has seen the highest levels of violence against journalists in 30 years.

Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas.

The Palestinian death toll from relentless Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since last October has reached 37,431, according to the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave.

At least 85,653 people have also been injured in the onslaught, the ministry added.

Over eight months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in its latest ruling ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio