The Israeli military has claimed that a journalist killed in a recent airstrike in Gaza was a Hamas operative, a statement strongly disputed by global media organisation Al Jazeera and press freedom advocates.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said it had “struck and eliminated” Mohammed Wishah, alleging that he was a “key terrorist” involved in Hamas’ rocket and weapons production operations.
According to the military, Wishah had been planning attacks against Israeli troops and “operated under the guise of a journalist,” using his position to advance militant activities.
However, Al Jazeera rejected the claim, describing the killing of its Mubasher correspondent as deliberate and unjustified. The network said Wishah was targeted in a strike on a vehicle west of Gaza while carrying out his duties.
“This was not a random act but a deliberate and targeted crime intended to intimidate journalists,” the broadcaster said, holding Israeli forces fully responsible for the incident.
The killing has drawn condemnation from international media watchdogs, including Reporters Without Borders, which highlighted the growing dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones.
The organisation noted that Wishah’s death adds to a rising toll, stating that more than 220 journalists have been killed in Gaza over the past two and a half years, with at least 70 reportedly killed while actively performing their duties.
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Despite a ceasefire that has been in place since October, violence continues to flare across Gaza, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of breaching the truce.
Al Jazeera said Wishah is among at least 11 of its journalists killed in Gaza since the outbreak of the war, which began after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on southern Israel.
The network also referenced previous incidents, including an August 2025 strike near Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City that killed multiple journalists and freelancers, drawing widespread international criticism.
Reaffirming its stance, Al Jazeera said it would pursue all legal avenues to hold those responsible accountable.
“We will take all necessary legal action to prosecute those responsible and seek justice for our colleagues,” the organisation said.
The incident underscores the deepening tensions surrounding press freedom and the safety of journalists in conflict zones, as well as the ongoing war of narratives between Israel and Hamas over events on the ground.