Al Jazeera journalist's death sparks controversy and calls for probe
The Israeli army claims that Hosem Shabat, an Al Jazeera journalist killed in the attack on the Gaza Strip, was also a Hamas sniper. Al Jazeera accuses Israel of his murder.
What do you need to know?
- The Israeli army announced that Hosem Shabat was a Hamas sniper. The Al Jazeera journalist was killed in an airstrike on the Gaza Strip.
- Al Jazeera condemned the killing of Shabat, stating it was a brutal attack on their employee.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called for an independent investigation into the death of Shabat and other journalists.
Was Hosem Shabat a Hamas sniper?
The Israeli army reported that Hosem Shabat, who died in an airstrike on the Gaza Strip, was not only an Al Jazeera journalist but also a Hamas sniper. According to the Israeli military, Shabat served in the Hamas unit in Beit Hanoun. Documents confirming his activities as a member of the terrorist organisation were allegedly discovered back in October 2024.
Al Jazeera firmly condemned the murder of Shabat, calling it a brutal attack. The station assured that despite the tragedy, its employees will continue to report on events in the Gaza Strip. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also expressed its outrage, calling for an independent investigation to determine whether the attack on Shabat was deliberate.
Deliberate attacks on journalists in the Gaza Strip?
CPJ President Jodie Ginsberg emphasised that the organisation is investigating cases where Israel may have deliberately attacked journalists, aware of their work in the media. Ginsberg noted that if these allegations are confirmed, it could be considered a war crime. More than 170 journalists have already been killed in the Gaza Strip war, mostly Palestinians.
Israel resumed its offensive on the Gaza Strip a week ago, leading to the deaths of nearly 800 people.
