Gaza: Israeli Airstrikes Kill Nermin Qawwas and Hanan Ayad, 11 Palestinian Women Journalists Killed in Gaza
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is outraged by the continued killings of journalists and press workers in Gaza.
Location: Gaza, Gaza City
Date: December 13, 2023
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza claimed the lives of journalists Nermin Qawwas and Hanan Ayad. The distressing toll on journalists during this conflict demands international accountability. With eleven Palestinian women journalists among the fourteen killed since October 7th, urgent action is needed. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom calls on the United Nations to conduct thorough investigations and the UN Security Council to consider sanctions against those targeting journalists. The International Criminal Court must prosecute those responsible for these heinous crimes.
On December 13, 2023, Nermin Qawwas, who worked with Russia Today, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on her home. According to reports by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Qawwas lost her life when a bomb struck her home.
On the same day, digital creator Hanan Ayyad was also killed. According to witnesses, Ayyad, her husband, and two children were killed by an Israeli shell that hit the area of the Old City of Gaza.
A month ago on Facebook, Ayyad described the constant fear of dying while living under Israeli bombardment. “Hour after hour, days in Gaza, massacre after massacre, imminent and postponed death—everything a target, every soul a planned target for killing," she wrote.
“Hour after hour, days in Gaza, massacre after massacre, imminent and postponed death—everything a target, every soul a planned target for killing”
The senseless deaths of these journalists are the latest in an ever-growing list of media workers killed in Gaza. Since October 7, at least 67 journalists have died since the conflict erupted. Among these casualties are fourteen women journalists, with eleven of them being Palestinian, as recorded by CFWIJ.
Last week, Ola Atallah in Gaza City and journalist Dua al-Cebbur in Khan Younis were killed in bombings. Journalists Salam Mema, Salma Mkhaimer, Duaa Sharaff, Alaa Taher Al Hassanat, Ayat Khadoura, Shima el-Gazzar and Amal Zohd were all killed by Israeli airstrikes.
Press coverage of the conflict in Gaza has been provided by Palestinian journalists on the frontlines. They have been risking their lives to document atrocities and inform the world of the suffering of the people of Gaza. In return, they have been killed in horrific numbers, in the deadliest conflict for media workers in 30 years.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom deeply mourns the loss of journalists Nermin Qawwas and Hanan Ayad and offers our condolences to their loved ones. The killing of journalists must stop. We urge international dialogue and de-escalation to safeguard all journalists in the conflict zone. There is an immediate need for a comprehensive UN inquiry into the killings of journalists in Gaza, and sanctions must be enacted against those who violate international laws. We call on the International Criminal Court and other tribunals to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these reprehensible acts.
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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