An Israeli strike killed a Palestinian cameraman for the TV network Al Jazeera and wounded its chief Gaza correspondent Friday as they reported at a school in the south of the besieged territory, the network said. Cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa and correspondent Wael Dahdouh had gone to the school in the southern city of Khan Younis after it was hit by a strike earlier in the day. While they were there, an Israeli drone hit the school with a second strike, the network said.
Quick Read
- Fatal Strike on Al Jazeera Crew: An Israeli strike killed Samer Abu Daqqa, a Palestinian cameraman for Al Jazeera, and wounded its chief Gaza correspondent, Wael Dahdouh.
- Location of the Incident: The incident occurred at a school in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza. The journalists were reporting on an earlier strike at the school when they were hit by a second strike from an Israeli drone.
- Circumstances of the Attack: Abu Daqqa was fatally wounded, and Dahdouh suffered heavy injuries to his arm and shoulder. Dahdouh recounted escaping the scene and seeking help for Abu Daqqa.
- Delayed Medical Assistance: An ambulance attempt to evacuate Abu Daqqa was thwarted by blocked roads. Abu Daqqa succumbed to his injuries after bleeding for several hours.
- Journalist Casualties in the Conflict: According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Abu Daqqa is among 64 journalists killed since the conflict between Hamas and Israel began on October 7, including 57 Palestinians, four Israelis, and three Lebanese.
- Abu Daqqa’s Background: Abu Daqqa, a 45-year-old from Khan Younis, had been with Al Jazeera since June 2004, serving as a cameraman and editor. He is survived by three sons and a daughter.
- Al Jazeera’s Statement: Al Jazeera accused Israel of systematically targeting and killing its journalists and their families. This includes previous incidents where Dahdouh’s and another correspondent’s family members were killed in strikes.
- Dahdouh’s Reporting History: Dahdouh is recognized for his coverage of Palestinian hardships and has a significant reputation in Gaza.
- Casualty Figures: The Health Ministry in Gaza reports over 18,700 Palestinian deaths in the ongoing conflict, which began following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel, resulting in significant civilian casualties and hostage-taking.
- Israeli Army’s Response: The Israeli army has not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding Abu Daqqa’s death.
The Associated Press has the story:
Israeli strike on school kills Al Jazeera cameraman in S. Gaza, network says
Newslooks- CAIRO (AP)
An Israeli strike killed a Palestinian cameraman for the TV network Al Jazeera and wounded its chief Gaza correspondent Friday as they reported at a school in the south of the besieged territory, the network said.
Cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa and correspondent Wael Dahdouh had gone to the school in the southern city of Khan Younis after it was hit by a strike earlier in the day. While they were there, an Israeli drone hit the school with a second strike, the network said.
Dahdouh was heavily wounded in his arm and shoulder, while Abu Daqqa fell bleeding to the ground. Speaking from a hospital bed, Dahdouh told Al Jazeera he was able to flee, bleeding, from the school and found several ambulance workers. He asked them to look for Abu Daqqa, but they said it was too risky and promised another ambulance would come for him, Dahdouh said.
“He was screaming, he was calling for help,” said Dahdouh, his right arm heavily bandaged.
Later that evening, Al Jazeera reported that an ambulance tried to reach the school to evacuate Abu Daqqa, but it had to turn back because roads were blocked by the rubble of destroyed houses.
Abu Daqqa continued to bleed for several more hours, until a civil defense crew found him dead Friday evening, the network said in a statement.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Abu Daqqa is the 64th journalist to be killed since the conflict erupted between Hamas and Israel on Oct. 7. That number includes 57 Palestinians, four Israelis and three Lebanese journalists.
The 45-year-old Abu Daqqa, a Khan Younis native, joined Al Jazeera in June 2004, working as both a cameraman and an editor. He leaves behind three sons and a daughter.
The Israeli army did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment about Abu Daqqa’s death.
Qatari-owned Al Jazeera said in a statement that it holds Israel “accountable for systematically targeting and killing Al Jazeera journalists and their families.”
In late October, Dahdouh’s wife, son, daughter and grandchild were killed in a strike on the home where they were sheltering in central Gaza. The network at the time accused Israel of intentionally targeting his family.
Earlier this month, a strike killed the father, mother and 20 other family members of another Al Jazeera correspondent, Momen Al Sharafi.
Dahdouh is well-known as the face of Palestinians during many wars. He is revered in his native Gaza for telling stories of suffering and hardship to the outside world.
Israel’s air and ground assault over the past 10 weeks has killed more than 18,700 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. The war broke out following Hamas brutal attack on southern Israel. That assault killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in some 240 being taken hostage.
