US says will continue to push for protection of journalists after Israeli attack on TRT Arabi team in Gaza

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US State Department on Friday said it will continue to push for the protection of journalists following an Israeli attack on the TRT Arabi team in Gaza, the Arabic television channel of the Turkish public broadcaster TRT.

"This conflict has already taken a devastating toll on journalists; we will continue to push for the protection of journalists and accountability for those who cause them harm," a State Department spokesperson told in response to Anadolu's question regarding the attack.

"We have been unequivocal. Israel needs to do more," the spokesperson said, while also citing Secretary of State Antony Blinken's previous remarks that said journalists in Gaza are doing "extraordinary work under the most dangerous conditions".

"The losses that the colleagues and the families of journalists have suffered are unimaginable – and we express our profound condolences," the spokesperson added.

While preparing for a broadcast in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, the TRT Arabi team vehicle was attacked by the Israeli army.

Sami Shahada, who worked as an independent cameraman, was seriously injured and had to undergo surgery. TRT Arabi reporter Sami Berhum escaped unhurt.

At least 95 journalists and media workers have been killed since its Israel war on Gaza began on Oct. 7, according to the US-based Commitee to Protect Journalists.

Israel has waged a military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas which killed around 1,200 people.

Nearly 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began.