Reporters Without Borders (RSF) watchdog has accused Israel of “deliberate shooting” of journalists in Gaza after photographer Yasser Murtaja was killed while covering protests on Gaza borders.
“Palestinian photographer Yasser Murtaja was wearing a vest marked “Press”: He was obviously the victim of an intentional shot” said Christophe Deloire the Secretary General of RSF on Twitter.
“RSF condemns absolutely the deliberate shooting of journalists by the Israeli army” he added.
Deloire called for an independent probe into the crime urging the Israeli government to abide by the UN Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists adopted in 2015.
He also said that at least six journalists were injured by Israeli gunfire and teargas on Friday.
Photos show Murtaja was wearing the vest when he was being treated by medics after being shot in the abdomen Friday dying a day later of his wounds. He was covering protests to the east of Khan Younis in the south of Gaza when he was hit.
Murtaja was laid to rest on Saturday with his ‘Press’ flak jacket buried with him.
Dozens of Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army since protests broke out on March 30 demanding a right for refugees to return to their homes from which they were forcibly displaced.
