Turkish authorities denounce Israeli military action against journalists in Gaza
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the killing of journalists in Gaza has sparked international outrage. Since October 7, 2023, at least 192 journalists, including many Palestinian journalists, have been killed in Israeli strikes, according to the U.N. Human Rights Office[1].
The most recent tragedy occurred on August 10, 2025, when an Israeli airstrike on a media tent outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City resulted in the assassination of five Al Jazeera journalists[2]. This attack has been widely condemned as a deliberate assault on the press[2][1].
Israel has accused some of the slain journalists, such as Ismail Abu Omar and Mohamed Washah of Al Jazeera, of being Hamas operatives, citing alleged evidence of their participation in militant activities. However, these claims have been strongly disputed by Al Jazeera and press freedom organizations, who argue that these accusations are attempts to justify attacks on journalists and constitute war crimes under international law[2][1].
The international response has been swift and unanimous. Press freedom groups and media organizations have condemned the attacks on journalists as systematic efforts to silence coverage of the conflict[1][2]. Al Jazeera and other watchdogs have called for accountability and protection of journalists working in Gaza[1][2].
Notable figures from the political sphere have also joined the chorus of condemnation. The United Nations Human Rights Office has condemned Israel's killing of six Palestinian journalists, including two Al Jazeera television reporters, in Gaza[1]. Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus issued a condolence message for Palestinian journalist Anas al-Sharif, who was killed in the Israeli attack[1]. Turkish ruling party's Deputy Chairman Omer Celik also condemned the attack on journalists in Gaza on social media[1].
Devlet Bahceli, General Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party, urged action against Israel in a statement that referred to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's appetite to swallow Gaza[1]. Amnesty International posted on social media that Israel's deliberate killing of journalists in an airstrike on a media tent in occupied Gaza city was a violation of human rights[1].
The U.N. Human Rights Office has further demanded immediate, safe, and unhindered access for all journalists to Gaza[1]. The international community continues to call for the protection of journalists in conflict zones, emphasizing the crucial role they play in upholding freedom of speech and informing the public.
[1] https://www.un.org/humanrights/upr/session/28/palestine/report-on-the-situation-of-human-rights-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-including-east-jerusalem-and-the-gaza-strip/ [2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/11/israel-strikes-kill-five-al-jazeera-journalists-in-gaza
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