Al Jazeera has issued the following statement:

“Al Jazeera Media Network stands witness to the unprecedented, deliberate, and systematic targeting of journalists in Gaza and the region. As the Israeli Occupation Forces carry out their crimes, journalists continue to document a genocide that the world must witness. As a result, they have and continue to face grievous threats and paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.

“Over the past year, the war on Gaza has resulted in a devastating toll on journalism. Since the outbreak of the war, the Israeli Occupation Forces have methodically targeted and killed over 170 journalists, among whom are three Al Jazeera journalists: Samer Abu Daqqa, Hamza Al Dahdouh, Ismail Al Ghoul, along with many of their family members.

“These systematic attacks extend beyond individual tragedies; they constitute a calculated campaign to silence those who dare to document the realities of war and devastation and a direct assault on the fundamental right to information.

“Al Jazeera Media Network continues to steadfastly report from Gaza. As the sole international media network present in Gaza, Al Jazeera has become the eyes and ears of a global audience witnessing the dire consequences of the war on the civilian population.

“The prohibition of international journalists from entering the war zone has curtailed the global understanding of the true cost of the war and its impact; making the Network’s role even more critical in providing essential coverage.”

Read the full statement from Al Jazeera here.