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Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) has expressed deep concern over the assassination of Al Jazeera journalists Ismail Al-Ghoul and Rami Al-Rifai in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
The two journalists were targeted while preparing a report from Shati Camp, following a warning from Israeli forces for them to leave the area.
As they entered their vehicle, a guided missile struck, highlighting the deliberate targeting of media personnel. Tawakkol Karman, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and head of WJWC, lamented the tragic loss of Al-Ghoul, stating, “He appeared daily on Al Jazeera, and his journalistic identity was known to everyone. He conveyed the facts to the Arab public and the world with professionalism and depth.”
Karman extended her condolences to the families, colleagues, and the broader journalistic community affected by this violence. She underscored the ongoing threat to journalists, noting that more than 165 have been killed and many others injured in the Gaza Strip since the onset of the Israeli military campaign.
WJWC criticized the international community’s inaction regarding Israeli war crimes, arguing that it emboldens further violence against journalists. Karman emphasized that the targeting of Al-Ghoul and Al-Rifai constitutes a war crime, as journalists’ identifying insignia have become markers for lethal attacks.
She urged the international community to take a stand against the killing of journalists and called for accountability for those responsible for these crimes. Karman insisted that immediate action is necessary to protect media personnel and ensure their safety while reporting on the grave violations occurring in Gaza.
WJWC is calling for solidarity from international organizations and civil society to hold accountable those who target media crews in the Gaza Strip and occupied territories.
