IFJ Plans Investigation into Violations of Press Rights after New Assault on Media in Gaza

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today announced that it plans to organise a wide ranging investigation into Israeli actions against media during the current conflict in Gaza after another building housing media organisations was struck this morning by Israeli missiles.

“We are witnessing in Gaza unprecedented and deliberate attacks on media which put journalists and others in harm’s way,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “There have been a string of such actions, and a concerted effort to ban, control and manage media, all of which demands full investigation.”

The IFJ says it will support a wide ranging investigation particularly into the use of military force against media, which is a serious violation of international law and counter to Security Council resolution 1738 which provides protection of journalists and media personnel in conflict zones.”

According to numerous press reports, the Ash- Ash-Shuruq Tower, a building housing several news organisations, including Reuters, NBC, Fox News, Sky News, Al-Arabiya and Abu Dhabi in downtown Gaza City was hit by an Israeli missile today.

Two journalists, Muhammad As-Susi and Ayman Ar-Rezi working for Abu Dhabi were injured in the attack

The IFJ has since the outbreak of the current conflict repeatedly denounced attacks on media by Israel in Gaza which have claimed five lives of journalists and protested its ban on foreign journalists to enter Gaza.

“This latest attack against the press is irrefutable proof that Israel pursues a clear strategy of intimidating the world media, including by wilfully killing and injuring journalists, into desisting from reporting independently on the conflict,” added White. “This is a dangerous departure form universally accepted rules for prosecuting war which must be denounced and resisted.”

The IFJ calls on all media organisations with presence in Gaza or information on attacks against the media in the area to contribute to the investigation by sharing information in their possession with IFJ.

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