AfroMedia Condemns Killings of Journalists in Gaza, Calls for Urgent UN Action
The African Initiative for Journalism and Media (AfroMedia) has condemned what it describes as systematic crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against journalists and civilians in Gaza since October 7, 2023. The organization says these actions constitute a flagrant violation of international laws and United Nations charters that ensure protection for civilians and media professionals during armed conflicts.
In its statement, AfroMedia cited reports from international organizations and trade unions, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which have documented the killing of more than 240 journalists and media professionals in Gaza in recent months. Dozens more have been injured or arrested, making Gaza, according to the group, the most dangerous place in the world to practice journalism in the 21st century.
AfroMedia named journalists Anas Al-Sharif, Hossam Shabat, Ismail Abu Hatab, and Yahya Sobeih among those targeted, describing it as a systematic attempt to silence the truth, conceal crimes against civilians, and mislead the world about events on the ground. The group emphasized that such targeting violates the Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, calling it a “full-fledged war crime” whose perpetrators must be held accountable immediately. AfroMedia also warned that the silence of the international community enables such violations to continue.
The organization urged the United Nations and the international community to take immediate and concrete measures. These include issuing an official condemnation of the killings, launching an urgent international investigation through the International Criminal Court, and ensuring that independent international media teams have access to Gaza to document the situation. AfroMedia also called for the provision of preventive protection mechanisms for journalists, including logistical support and equipment for work in conflict zones.
According to AfroMedia, the loss of so many journalists is not only a human tragedy but also a severe blow to press freedom, transparency, and the public’s right to knowledge. The statement underscored that the battle in Gaza extends beyond the ground conflict to control over the media narrative, making the protection of journalists a matter of urgency.
The initiative concluded by stressing that defending journalists means defending truth and justice. It said that safeguarding their lives guarantees future generations’ right to know what happened without distortion or concealment, and called on all media and human rights organizations to show solidarity and exert pressure to stop the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.