Russia calls killing of journalists in Gaza Strip 'shocking'

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia on Thursday called the killings of journalists covering the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip "shocking," and described the reaction by some international organizations as "particularly depressing."

"This is a mass death, this is not 'killing,' these are not 'tragic cases,' this is a mass death of journalists. ... We are talking about a truly shocking number of victims," Zakharova said in response to a question by Anadolu at a news conference in Moscow.

The spokeswoman noted that Moscow perceived the killing "with pain in heart," and "grieves together with relatives and friends" of victims.

She said the international community adopted frameworks for protection of media workers, but they are not implemented by those "who proclaimed this as their credo," referring to the West.

"Who is silent now, does not even find words of sympathy, ... does not do anything. Where are they now when we are talking about dozens of slain journalists killed in the line of duty?"

At least 39 journalists and media workers have been killed in the besieged Palestinian enclave in the last one month, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Zakharova described as "particularly depressing" reaction by some international structures established to provide assistance in ensuring the rights of journalists.

As an example, she cited UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay, who in a statement from Nov.7 "condemned" the killing of Israeli photojournalist Roy Idan but "deplored" the death of Palestinian journalist of Al Aqsa TV Saed Al Halabi.

"That's the difference. And we have been talking about this for the last few years. Our journalists are experiencing the same differentiated attitude," she emphasized.

The spokeswoman stressed that a "differentiated approach" to killing of journalists on the part of multilateral structures depending on nationality and other things is "unacceptable," "immoral" and contradicts their functional responsibilities.

- Evacuation of Russian citizens from Gaza Strip

Responding to another question by Anadolu on the evacuation of Russian citizens from the Gaza Strip, which is under incessant Israeli bombardment since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Zakharova said Israel has been promising to issue the relevant authorization for long.

"For the last at least four days, our ambassador to Israel (Anatoly) Viktorov has received assurances and promises from the Israeli side ... that this permission will be issued 'tomorrow'. ... This is despite the fact that this issue was raised by our side long before," she said.

For Moscow the task of rescuing Russian citizens and all who requested assistance is a "priority," everything is ready for their evacuation, the only thing that hinders the departure is Israel's nod, she said.

"We hope that all these difficulties, the reasons for which have not been explained to us, will be overcome," she stressed.