Five Gaza ‘Journalists’ Killed After Israeli Strike Targets Armed Group

What Happened?

An Israeli strike reportedly killed five Palestinian journalists after targeting a broadcast van outside a hospital Thursday in the central Gaza Strip.

According to reports, the journalists were employees of al-Quds Today, a Palestinian television channel affiliated with Hamas ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), covering events near al-Awda Hospital.

The journalists, who were reportedly sleeping in their van, were identified as Fadi Hassouna, Ibrahim al-Sheikh Ali, Mohammed al-Ladah, Faisal Abu al-Qumsan and Ayman al-Jadi.

Ayman al-Jadi had been reportedly waiting in front of the hospital while his wife was in labor to give birth to their first child in the central Nuseirat refugee camp.

Images shared from the scene showed a white-colored van engulfed in flames with press signage written in large red letters on the back doors.

al-Quds Today reportedly said in a statement that the men 'were killed as they carried out their media and humanitarian duty.'

But Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement claiming it had 'conducted a precise strike on an Islamic Jihad terrorist cell inside of a vehicle in the area of Nuseirat.'

The statement continued, 'Intelligence from multiple sources confirmed that these individuals were Islamic Jihad operatives posing as journalists.'

A key source the Israeli military said was a list that explicitly identified four of the eliminated individuals as members of the terrorist organization.

Air strikes have also been reported in two Yemen cities Thursday after Israel said its air force had targeted infrastructure exploited by Houthi for military purposes.

Israeli military adds the Yemen airstrikes were in response to the Iran-backed terror group’s repeated ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel in recent weeks.

Why it Matters

On Wednesday, Israel and Hamas accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts to end the 14-month war in Gaza.

The two sides were reportedly making progress to make a deal, but those efforts may now be even more challenging.

Al Jazeera reports that Israel has killed 38 Palestinians in Gaza and injured 137 across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours.

As of Dec. 20, at least 141 journalists have been killed during the start of the war in October 2023, according to reports.

Some link connections to al-Quds Today's affiliation with armed group PIJ that took part in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.

The TV channel is reportedly believed to receive funding from the group.

IDF's interpretation of the situation has been questioned however after an investigation revealed some military personnel appeared to view journalists working in war territory for media outlets as legitimate military targets.

Although it’s important to note that some outlets are reportedly controlled by or affiliated with Palestinian militant groups.

What it Means

The besieged Gaza Strip is in dire need of aid to reconstruct damaged territory and help over 2 million displaced families return home.

President-elect Donald Trump has recently warned there would be 'all hell to pay in the Middle East' if hostages held in Gaza are not released by the time he returns to office on Jan. 20.

This situation remains uncertain, as the two sides remain far apart from a ceasefire deal to end the war in January.