Palestinian photojournalist injured by Israeli army fire arrives in Türkiye for medical treatment

By Fatih Caglar Demirbas, Mehmet Nuri Ucar and Mucahit Turetken

ISTANBUL (AA) – A Palestinian photojournalist who was severely injured on his hand by Israeli army fire while covering a protest demonstration arrived in Türkiye for treatment on Monday.

Ashraf Amra, a freelancer for Türkiye's premier news agency, Anadolu, arrived in Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight from Cairo, Egypt’s capital.

On Friday, Amra was covering a protest demonstration of Palestinians near the border in the Khan Yunus region in the east of the Gaza Strip when Israeli soldiers opened fire to disperse them.

Twelve Palestinians were injured by live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and tear gas shells. The Israeli army's fire severely injured Amra's hand.

The Israeli soldiers opened intense fire on the Palestinians and deliberately targeted the journalists at the scene, Amra told Anadolu at the airport.

“I was one of the journalists who wore the uniform that stated 'Press'. What we document and photograph is clearly visible through the cameras. However, Israeli soldiers threw explosives directly at me, while I was holding the camera in my hand,” he said.

He was taken to a hospital after being injured, Amra said, adding that during the initial examination, it was discovered that he had a large tear in his right hand as well as major nerve and tendon damage.

"I would like to thank Anadolu for making all efforts to take me out of the Gaza Strip from the beginning to prevent part of my right hand from being amputated," he said, lauding the Turkish news agency for paying close attention to him during this difficult time.

“My treatment will continue here," he added.

Amra was taken to Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, where his treatment will continue.