Al Jazeera journalist and cameraman killed in Gaza strike

A number of information crews and unbiased photographers went to the home, which lies west of Gaza Metropolis within the Shati refugee camp, round 4 p.m. native time to cowl the fallout from Haniyeh’s demise, mentioned native freelance photographer Ayman al-Hissi. Ghoul and Rifi had been amongst that group, reporting for Al Jazeera.

Seconds earlier than 4 p.m., Hissi mentioned the Al Jazeera crew had ready their final report, through which they interviewed Haniyeh’s daughter-in-law, Enas Haniyeh. In the meantime, an “intensive flight of reconnaissance plane” arrived, Hissi mentioned, and fired a missile on the western a part of the Haniyeh home. The strike brought on no accidents, in keeping with Gaza Civil Protection spokesman Mahmoud Bassal, and Ghoul and Rifi left the scene to drive away as shortly as potential.

One of many reconnaissance planes chased the Al Jazeera staff’ automotive, and Hissi watched as one other missile hit the Aida space close to Haniyeh’s home. The second strike got here round 5 p.m. and hit their automotive instantly, Bassal mentioned, killing Ghoul and Rifi.

A boy passing by was additionally killed, and his physique was evacuated by ambulance, Bassal mentioned.

Al Jazeera Arabic managing editor Mohamed Moawad mourned the lack of Ghoul, calling him a “decided journalist who refused to succumb to starvation, sickness and the lack of his brother.”

“He relentlessly coated the occasions and delivered the fact of Gaza to the world via Al Jazeera. His voice has now been silenced,” Moawad wrote in a social media put up. “Ismail fulfilled his mission to his folks and his homeland. Disgrace on those that have failed the civilians, journalists, and humanity.”

Hissi, who was 300 meters away from the automotive, accused Israel of hanging and killing the reporters regardless of “understanding that they had been all carrying vests with the press image on them, understanding that each one these current within the place had been civilians and journalists.”

In an announcement to The Washington Put up, Al Jazeera mentioned it “condemns the continuing crimes dedicated by Israeli occupation forces in opposition to journalists and media professionals in Gaza within the strongest potential phrases.”

“We urge worldwide authorized establishments to carry Israel accountable for its heinous crimes and to demand an finish to the focusing on and killing of journalists,” the community added.

In March, Ghoul was detained and overwhelmed throughout an Israeli raid on al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported on the time. Ghoul mentioned he and different detained journalists had been pressured to strip bare and lie on their stomachs for hours.

As of February, greater than 85 journalists had been killed within the first 4 months of the battle in Gaza. The battle has killed greater than 110 journalists and media staff, in keeping with the Committee to Defend Journalists.

“Journalists are civilians and may by no means be focused,” mentioned chief government Jodie Ginsberg, in keeping with the CPJ. “Israel should clarify why two extra Al Jazeera journalists have been killed in what seems to be a direct strike.”

The Israeli navy didn’t reply to a request for touch upon the strike and the targets.

Hazem Balousha, Heba Mahfouz, Missy Ryan, Hajar Harb and Miriam Berger contributed to this report.