GAZA, (PIC)
The Palestinian Media Forum stated that Israeli occupation forces have killed 122 journalists and destroyed dozens of media institutions and journalists’ homes since the start of their bloody aggression on Gaza four months ago.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Forum noted that the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip is entering its fifth month, marking the highest indicators of press freedom violations with the cold-blooded killing of 122 journalists over the course of 120 days. During this period, the Israeli occupation army has committed the worst genocide crimes against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip, in addition to injuring dozens of journalists as a result of deliberate and intentional Israeli targeting.
The Forum also pointed out that Israel continues to detain many journalists who were arrested during its ground incursion into Gaza and its northern areas, confirming that testimonies from those who were released reveal the sadism and brutality of the Israeli occupation, which has practiced the most severe forms of torture against detainees.
It was stated that the traces of journalists, Nadal Al-Wahidi and Haitham Abdulwahid, are still missing since October 7, 2023.
The Forum also pointed out the French company that owns the satellite hosting Al-Aqsa TV channel has suspended its broadcast in response to pressure from the French government and submission to the pressures of the Israeli occupation government, without the slightest regard for international laws, humanitarian conventions, and human rights principles.
It also highlighted the Israeli army’s persistence in shelling and destroying the homes of dozens of journalists, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of numerous civilians.
The destruction and damage to the headquarters of dozens of media institutions, including international institutions such as Al Jazeera channel and the French News Agency office, were confirmed as a result of Israeli shelling. In addition, the broadcast of radio stations and local channels was penetrated as part of the psychological war on the Palestinian society.
The Forum pointed to the targeting of the infrastructure of the communication network and its disruption on several occasions, which limits the ability of media outlets and journalists to work and report on the events and developments in the Gaza Strip.
It affirmed that despite four months of Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian journalist continues to write with blood for Palestine, recording the most magnificent epics of heroism and sacrifice in order to convey the injustice suffered by the Palestinian people to the whole world and expose the crimes of exterminating innocent civilians in their homes. The Israeli machinery of repression will not succeed in undermining the will of the Palestinian media knights.
The Forum held Israel fully responsible for the crimes of targeting journalists, condemning the destruction of media institutions and the targeting of journalists’ homes as part of Israel’s attempt to conceal its crimes against civilians from the eyes of the world.
The Arab and international media were called upon to intensify media coverage of the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, the genocide crimes against civilians, and the imposition of a siege that has paralyzed basic and vital services.
The relevant institutions were urged to protect journalists, fulfill their role, and confront the Israeli targeting of Palestinian media in all its components.
