The Israeli military’s killing of six Palestinian journalists, including an Al Jazeera cameraman, in Gaza has drawn global outrage, with critics accusing Israel of waging a systematic campaign to silence the press.
The latest strikes hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Monday, killing five journalists, including Al Jazeera photographer Mohammad Salama, in what witnesses described as a “double-tap” attack that left 21 dead. Hours later, another journalist was killed in a separate strike in the city.
Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemned what it called “a horrific crime committed by the Israeli occupation forces, who have directly targeted and assassinated journalists as part of a systematic campaign to silence the truth.”
The network said the killings amounted to war crimes, adding that despite the relentless targeting of its staff, it remains committed to covering “the Israeli genocide in Gaza” while foreign media remain barred.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, meeting in Jeddah, branded the attacks a “war crime” and an assault on press freedom.
Similarly, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine described the killings as proof of “absolute brutality and sadism” and held Israel and its allies, especially the United States, fully responsible for what it called an organized crime.
Qatar denounced the strikes as part of a “heinous series of crimes” against Palestinians, urging urgent international action to protect journalists and humanitarian workers.
Doha also renewed its call for global solidarity to end what it described as a genocidal war, pushing for an independent Palestinian state on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Turkiye said the attack was “another war crime,” with presidential communications chief Burhanettin Duran accusing Israel of trying to conceal the truth through systematic attacks on journalists.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry labeled the strike a “barbaric war crime” tied to Israel’s plan for “genocide of Palestinians,” while demanding accountability from the US and other Western backers.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab states echoed condemnation. Cairo accused Israel of deliberately targeting journalists and humanitarian workers in a “blatant violation of international humanitarian law,” while Riyadh stressed the urgent need for the international community to halt Israeli crimes and ensure protection for press and medical staff.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the hospital strike as a “tragic mishap,” saying Israel “values” journalists and civilians and would investigate. But critics noted that Israel’s probes rarely lead to accountability.
Meanwhile, Western leaders reacted with growing concern. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called for an immediate ceasefire, while Spain said the strike was a “flagrant violation of humanitarian law” and stressed the special protection of journalists.
Germany said it was “shocked” and urged Israel to allow immediate access for foreign media, while French President Emmanuel Macron declared the attack “intolerable” and insisted “civilians and journalists must be protected under all circumstances.”
Canada also said the strike was “unacceptable” and reiterated that Israel must safeguard civilians in conflict zones.
Press and rights groups issued some of the harshest rebukes. The Committee to Protect Journalists said Israel’s “continued unlawful attacks on the press” must not go unpunished, while the Foreign Press Association demanded an “immediate explanation” and urged global leaders to intervene. Reporters Without Borders called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to end impunity for crimes against journalists.
The Freedom of the Press Foundation accused Israel of running an “increasingly brazen campaign to discredit, silence, and kill journalists,” arguing that the lack of international media access means the world relies on local reporters who are being systematically assassinated.
Reuters confirmed the death of its contractor Hussam al-Masri and injuries to another colleague, saying it was seeking urgent information and assistance.
At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded a “prompt, impartial investigation,” while UN rights officials said the killings “should shock the world into action.”
UN envoy Francesca Albanese urged states to impose an arms embargo and sanctions, while UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini decried the silencing of the last voices documenting Gaza’s famine and mass suffering.
Doctors Without Borders called the attack “horrendous,” noting that journalist Mariam Abu Daqqa, who had collaborated with the group, was among the dead. “We are heartbroken,” said MSF’s Jerome Grimaud, stressing that Israel continues to strike journalists and medical facilities “with impunity.”
He warned that the deliberate targeting of those documenting the conflict must stop immediately.
