The Israeli military has claimed that an Al Jazeera journalist killed in a recent airstrike in Gaza was a Hamas militant posing as a reporter.
In a statement released Thursday, the military said its forces had “struck and eliminated” Mohammed Wishah a day earlier, alleging he was “a key terrorist in Hamas’ rocket and weapons production headquarters” who had been planning attacks against Israeli troops.
According to Israel, Wishah “operated under the guise of an Al Jazeera journalist,” using that role to carry out activities against the Israeli army and the state.
However, Al Jazeera strongly rejected the claim, condemning the strike as a deliberate attack on the press. The Qatar-based broadcaster said the killing of its Mubasher correspondent was “not a random act but a deliberate and targeted crime intended to intimidate journalists,” holding Israeli forces fully responsible.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders also criticised the incident, noting that Wishah is among more than 220 journalists killed in Gaza over the past two and a half years, many while on duty.
The incident adds to ongoing tensions despite a ceasefire that has largely held since October, with both Israel and Hamas continuing to accuse each other of violations.
Al Jazeera said it would pursue legal action to hold those responsible accountable and seek justice for its staff killed in the conflict.
