The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has reiterated its urgent call for the Israeli occupation army to minimize the impact of its military operations on civilians in Gaza and to halt the killing of journalists. This plea follows the recent deaths of Al Jazeera’s Ismail al-Ghoul and cameraman Rami al-Rifi, who were killed in an Israeli drone strike on their vehicle yesterday.
In a statement, the OHCHR emphasized the protected status of journalists under international humanitarian law, noting that they are civilians unless they are directly participating in hostilities. The office asserted that the intentional killing of journalists constitutes a war crime.
“Palestinian journalists play a critical role in informing the world of the reality in Gaza, where Israel has not allowed international journalists to enter. Silencing Palestinian journalists conceals the shocking reality in Gaza,” the statement read.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and highlighted the ongoing dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones. The OHCHR’s statement underscores the need for all parties to respect the protections afforded to civilians, including journalists, in times of armed conflict.
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