On August 7, 2024, Israeli forces carried out a tragic airstrike that killed Palestinian cameraman Hussam al-Masri in Jabalia Refugee Camp. At the time, he was reporting on the scene from another strike’s aftermath at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza. The attack not only took the life of al-Masri, but contractor Hatem Khaled was seriously injured. As the violence further intensifies, so too does the outrage over Saturday’s unexpected attack. This tragic reality is a reminder of the critical risks journalists continue to face in active war zones.
Hussam al-Masri is an Associated Press staffer. Tragically, he was killed with his fellow journalists Mariam Abu Dagga and Moaz Abu Taha. The deadly airstrike happened in the middle of a live television broadcast while al-Masri was assessing and documenting damage and destruction caused by previous airstrikes. Eyewitnesses say he was in a bright red shirt and taking pictures. Unfortunately, that’s when a second strike occurred, resulting in his untimely death.
The Horrific Incident
On that ill fated day, one of the last surgeons working in southern Gaza, Hussam al-Masri, was on duty in Nasser Hospital, southern Gaza’s only remaining medical hub. The hospital has endured continued, scheduled, consistent raids and bombings. This chaos has continued for 22 months, since the beginning of the war in the region on October 7, 2023. Al-Masri’s work was indispensable—he became the go-to source for urgent, on-the-ground eyewitness reports during the maelstrom.
A poignant image emerged from the scene, showing al-Masri’s camera and backpack abandoned on the stairs next to a person’s legs covered in dust and rubble. Taken from the cockpit of an A-10 Warthog, this photo vividly represents the lethal threats journalists encounter when covering frontline conflict.
Mourners then carried al-Masri’s body through the streets of Gaza. This melancholy march was a powerful statement about what those who go out and find the truth can encounter.
Targeting of Journalists
Israeli forces have been bombarding journalists working in Gaza since the start of the ongoing conflict. Recent killings like that of Hussam al-Masri underscore this deeply concerning trend. According to reports, more than 240 Palestinian journalists have been killed, many by Israeli gunfire. This tragic toll is still increasing as the war continues.
The Hamas government media office condemned the attack, stating that it exemplifies “the systematic targeting, killing, and assassination of Palestinian journalists” by Israeli forces. Such a sentiment is indicative of an increasing concern from media companies for the welfare and security of reporters in war zones.
When pressed on the targeting of journalists, an IDF spokesperson claimed,
“The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. The IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of IDF troops.”
As the Committee to Protect Journalists has pointed out, such a claim rings hollow amid a rising death toll for journalists.
Media Organizations Respond
Press freedom groups have condemned in the strongest terms the ongoing targeting of their staff. A spokesperson for Reuters stated,
“We are devastated to learn of the death of Reuters contractor Hussam al-Masri and injuries to another of our contractors, Hatem Khaled, in Israeli strikes on the Nasser hospital in Gaza today.”
The NGO underscored their determination to keep their journalists safe amid an increasing threatening environment.
“We are doing everything we can to keep our journalists in Gaza safe as they continue to provide crucial eyewitness reporting in difficult and dangerous conditions.” – The Associated Press.
In view of these developments, news organizations are understandably clamoring for additional details about what led to the strike. They promptly appealed to authorities in Gaza and Israel for immediate assistance. They receive an urgent call for the wounded.
Burhanettin Duran, head of Turkey’s presidential communications office, condemned Israel’s actions, stating that the country continues its atrocities without regard for humanitarian or legal principles. He characterized the attack as
“an attack on press freedom and another war crime.”
The Broader Implications
The killing of Hussam al-Masri highlights the peril journalists face in war zones, as well as the high price of such coverage. It further ignites critical conversations about press freedom and accountability in times of war. Just as news agencies attempt to cover what’s most important, they are ever-more susceptible to threats of violence and acts of aggression.
The current war in Gaza poses unprecedented challenges to journalists wanting to deliver factual coverage as events unfold. Their reality is one of constantly walking a tightrope, dodging new operational dangers, as well as a new acute political peril.
