Israel’s war on journalists

During Israel’s 11-day assault on Gaza this month, its military bombed multiple towers in Gaza housing the offices of some two dozen international and local media organizations. On 12 May, Israeli warplanes struck the al-Jawhara building, which contained offices of several Arabic-language broadcasters. They included Al Kofiya channel and APA Images, a Palestinian photo agency. The same day, Israeli warplanes bombed the al-Shurouq tower, destroying it completely. Located in Gaza City’s al-Rimal neighborhood, the high-rise housed a number of media organizations. On 15 May, Israeli warplanes leveled the al-Jalaa building, which housed offices of the Associated Press and Al Jazeera. Israel has claimed Hamas military intelligence were using the building. But an Israeli official was unable to provide any evidence when pressed by US public radio network NPR. Even if that Israeli claim were true, under the laws of war, Israel’s destruction of entire buildings would be wholly disproportionate. Rather, Israel’s mass destruction of buildings and infrastructure appears to fit the pattern of the Dahiya Doctrine – named after Israel’s 2006 destruction of the southern suburb of Beirut. The goal is to deliberately inflict such pain and suffering on the civilian population and society at large as to deter anyone from resisting Israel’s occupation. This can be prosecuted as a war crime. Reporters Without Borders sent a letter to Fatou Bensouda, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, urging an investigation of Israel’s targeting of the offices of media organizations in Gaza. On 19 May, an Israeli raid killed journalist Yousif Abu Hussein, 32, in his apartment in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood. He was a broadcaster with Voice of Al-Aqsa radio. The Committee to Protect Journalists raised the possibility that Abu Hussein “was targeted in his home because of his work.” Video by Mohammed Asad and Tala Kaddoura. See: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐚𝐝𝐚 Visit our website for more reporting: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: Soundcloud: Spotify: Apple Podcasts: #TheElectronicIntifada