Two Al Jazeera correspondents, Ismail Al-Ghoul and his cameraman Rami Al-Rifi, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday at Al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza, as reported by the news network.
According to CNN, this incident has drawn condemnation from advocacy groups and underscores the risks faced by local journalists covering the conflict.
Al-Ghoul, aged 27, and Al-Rifi, also 27, were hit while reporting live from near the family home of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran on Tuesday.
Al-Ghoul was wearing a press flak vest when he was killed. He had not seen his wife and two-year-old daughter, Zeina, who were displaced in central Gaza, in ten months.
In a June post on X, he reflected on missing significant moments in his daughter’s growth.
Al Jazeera condemned what it described as the “targeted assassination” of its journalists by Israeli forces, calling it part of a “systematic targeting campaign” against their network’s journalists and families since October 2023.
CNN has requested a comment from the Israel Defense Forces.
Al Jazeera’s managing editor, Mohamed Moawad, praised Al-Ghoul for his professionalism and dedication, saying his work brought global attention to the suffering in Gaza.
Local reporters have been crucial in conveying the realities of the conflict as international journalists face restrictions and safety concerns in accessing Gaza.
The ongoing Israeli offensive has resulted in the deadliest period for journalists since 1992, with at least 111 journalists and media workers killed since October, 109 of whom were Palestinian, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
A Gaza reporter who spent much of the day with the Al Jazeera team told CNN that he was 300 meters away when the missile struck their vehicle.
Video footage from the scene shows the charred remains of their car, suggesting it was targeted from above.
Ayman Abed, a resident of Al-Shati camp, recounted hearing the hum of drones before the strike on their car.
Israel’s military campaign began after the Hamas-led October 7 attacks, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 250 abductions.
Since then, Israeli strikes have killed over 39,000 Palestinians and injured 90,000, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
Palestinian journalists and press freedom groups have called for accountability for attacks on reporters in Gaza.
The CPJ has urged Israel to explain the deaths of the Al Jazeera staff, with CPJ chief Jodie Ginsberg emphasizing that journalists are civilians and should never be targeted.
The International Federation of Journalists also criticized the strike, demanding Israel cease targeting journalists.
Khader Al-Za’anoun of Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, expressed the difficulty of covering the death of his friend and colleague, Al-Ghoul.
CNN footage showed a large crowd mourning outside Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, with Al Jazeera reporters visibly distressed.
Journalist Yousef Al Saudi held Al-Ghoul’s bloodied flak jacket, stating, “The sign was covered by blood to silence the world and the images in Gaza. The pictures continue and the coverage continues, God willing.”
Anas Al Sharif, also from Al Jazeera, pledged to continue their mission.
Journalist Wadi Shehandeh addressed a crowd, affirming that media professionals would persist in their coverage despite the risks.
“Ismail is not dead. Ismail lives in our hearts. His message will continue,” he said.
