Thank you for contacting me about journalists in Gaza.
I recognise the valuable work of good journalists operating on the ground in Gaza, providing important coverage of the conflict in incredibly challenging circumstances. Under International Humanitarian Law, journalists covering conflicts should be afforded protection.
Israel is an internationally respected democracy and the only nation in its region to uphold the principles of a free society. Fundamentally, this includes the freedom of press.
Journalists operating in Gaza, like other civilians, are encouraged to heed IDF warnings on their operational practices and follow the guidance set out to minimise civilian casualties – in line with Israel’s obligations under international law.
It is completely wrong to say that institutions of journalism were “targeted” by IDF strikes, which precisely aim for the terror infrastructure embedded by Hamas and other militant groups within, beneath and around civilian areas – transforming them into legitimate military targets according to the Laws of War. This was made apparent by Hamas’ use of the Al Jala building for intelligence purposes before 2021, in line with the terror group’s longstanding and well documented practice of using sensitive civilian sites for the purpose of human shields.
It is important to recognise that reports from Israel’s Government have emerged of photojournalists embedding themselves with Hamas during the 7th October attacks on Israel, and that some journalists were tipped off about the attacks, instead choosing to use the opportunity to obtain coverage rather than warn authorities of the massacres. It must also be noted that a number of journalists, including Hamza al-Dahdouh and Mustafa Thuria who were killed in Gaza, have been found to be members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror group.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
February 2024