Gaza: Israeli Airstrike Kills Journalist Shima El-Gazzar in South Gaza
El-Gazzar is the seventh Palestinian women journalist killed by Israeli shelling since the conflict started on October 7th.
Location: Palestine, Gaza
Date: December 3, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom expresses profound sorrow over the loss of journalist Shima El-Gazzar and her family members, killed by an Israeli airstrike on Rafah in southern Gaza on Sunday. We are appalled by the alarming number of journalists who have been killed during this war. El-Gazzar is the seventh Palestinian woman journalist killed by Israeli shelling since the conflict started on October 7th. At least 63 press workers have been killed, of which 56 Palestinian, 4 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese — the deadliest conflict for press workers in three decades. We condemn Israel for the deliberate shelling of Palestinian citizens and journalists, a war crime under international law. We call on the United Nations (UN) to conduct thorough investigations into the killings of journalists, the UN Security Council to consider imposing sanctions or embargoes against parties found to be in violation of international laws, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other international tribunals to investigate and prosecute individuals or groups responsible for the heinous acts committed.
On Sunday, journalist Shima El-Gazzar, who worked for Al-Majedat media network, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on her residence in Rafah city, as confirmed by press freedom group SKeyes, based in Beirut, and the Cairo-based media outlet Darb.
El-Gazzar was known for her dedication to reporting on the ground, providing valuable insights into the lives of Palestinians living in Gaza. Her work shed light on the daily struggles faced by the people in the region, amplifying their voices and stories to the world.
The airstrikes, ongoing for three months now, were initiated following an attack on October 7, 2023. During the attack, Hamas gunmen crossed the Gaza border into Israel, killing civilians, soldiers, and launching rockets towards the country. Israel asserts that its airstrikes on Gaza are specifically targeting Hamas infrastructure and fighters, and that warnings were issued prior to the attacks. However, evidence collected by Amnesty International suggests the strikes have been indiscriminate and without any prior warnings. They also highlight the challenges faced by residents in seeking safety, such as the lack of bomb shelters and restricted movement due to the blockade.
The Israeli airstrike on Rafah city has once again ignited debates surrounding the safety of journalists and the protection of civilians in war zones. The incident raises questions about the rules of engagement and the necessity of such attacks, especially when innocent lives are at stake.
The ongoing violence has placed journalists in a perilous situation, as they find themselves caught in the midst of the war. The brunt of the work amid the violent conflict lies solely on the shoulders of Palestinian journalists who are forced to risk their lives to share the stories from the frontlines. These journalists have been direct witnesses to the catastrophic outcomes of the war, resulting in the killing of 63 media workers, as reported by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Ten of these journalists are women, as documented by CFWIJ. These distressing statistics serve as a stark reminder of the daily dangers faced by journalists who are committed to delivering accurate information to the public, especially in war zones.
Journalists play a vital role in providing unbiased and accurate information, acting as the eyes and ears of the public during times of war. Their work is essential for fostering understanding, empathy, and dialogue between different communities. The loss of El-Gazzar and her family members is a devastating blow to the journalism community.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom mourns the loss of Shima El-Gazzar and her family members. It is imperative that we recommit ourselves to protecting journalists and upholding press freedom. We urge the international community to prioritize dialogue and de-escalation to ensure journalists can carry out their duties. It is of utmost importance to ascertain whether all necessary measures were taken to prevent harm to civilians and to ensure that those responsible for any wrongdoing are held accountable for their actions. Journalists in war zones are protected under international humanitarian law, and deliberately targeting them is a war crime. We call on urgent action by the international community and demand a prolonged ceasefire.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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