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| [PHOTO: Creative Commons] |
Brussels: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) called on the international community to investigate "deliberate" attacks by
Israeli military against media buildings in Gaza.
At least six journalists were injured, including cameraman
Khader al Zarah who lost a leg after their offices came under sustained bombing
from Israel's military which targeted in the early hours of Sunday Al Shawa and
Husari where several media organisations, including Hamas' TB Al Quds TV, Al
Qudsa radio, Maan network and many other radio stations are based. Another
media facility, the Asshurouq building, which houses Sky, ITN, Al Arabiya TV
and Abu Dhabi TV was also attacked.
"We demand a
full inquiry by the United Nations to investigate the attacks and to take action
against the Government of Israel," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President.
"The international community must respond immediately to this outrage. The
rights of journalists in conflict zones have been particularly highlighted by
the United Nations and members states cannot stand by when one state acts in a
reckless and dangerous manner."
The Palestinian
Journalists' Syndicate (PJS) condemned the bombing and the National Federation
of Israeli Journalists (NFIJ), has called for the respect of journalists' safety.
The Israeli
authorities reportedly told the Foreign Press Association in Israel that the
army targeted the antenna on the media buildings but journalists who escaped
from the Al Quds TV building told the PJS affiliate that three floors of the
building were bombed.
The IFJ says that
these recent attacks serve as a reminder of the government's failure to protect
journalists covering armed conflicts.
The Federation recalls a similar direct assault on media houses took
place the 22-day military offensive by the Israeli army on Gaza in 2009,
The issue of protection of journalists is scheduled to be
debated at a UN Inter-agency meeting in Vienna next week and the Federation is
urging the UN to take governments to task over their international obligations
on this matter.
"The reckless
intimidation of media by the Israeli Defense Force on a shocking scale should
not go unpunished. If it does, it leaves journalists and media exposed to the
threat of attack in any conflict at any time in the future," added
Boumelha.