EVERY life lost in Israel’s campaign of extermination in Gaza is precious. The Jewish state is not differentiating between man, woman or child, combatant or non-combatant.

In fact, the Israeli president has suggested there are no innocent civilians in Gaza, while Tel Aviv’s defence minister has described the besieged Strip’s people as ‘animals’. If anything, it is Israel that has displayed bestial behaviour by pursuing a scorched earth policy against the Palestinians.

Part of its campaign of terror is the targeting of journalists and aid workers in the conflict zone. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists’ latest figures, at least 33 journalists and media workers have been killed since hostilities started on Oct 7; 28 are Palestinian, four Israelis and one Lebanese. Moreover, UNRWA, the multilateral body’s relief agency, says it has lost 70 staffers in the conflict.

From these numbers it is clear that Israel is targeting journalists to silence voices highlighting the brutality in Gaza, as well as attacking aid workers trying to provide succour to the Palestinian people.

One of the most heartbreaking stories was that of Al Jazeera reporter Wael al-Dahdouh, who learnt that his wife, son, daughter and other family members had been massacred in an Israeli air raid while he was on air.

As we have just observed the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, it should be remembered that Israel is slaughtering media workers and their families with brazen impunity. Reporters Without Borders has said that war crimes have been committed against Palestinian journalists.

While statements are important, global media bodies and civil society in the West particularly must pressure their governments to call for an immediate ceasefire, and hold Israel to account for its atrocities against civilians, including journalists and aid workers.

Claims by states to respect media freedom will ring hollow until those responsible for forever silencing the voices of Palestinian journalists are brought to justice.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2023