Palestinian International Organization for Peace and Human Rights
June 5, 2025
Targeting a place designated for journalistic work
At 10:25 a.m. on June 5, 2025, a tent housing journalists inside the courtyard of the Arab National Hospital (Baptist Hospital) in Gaza City was bombed. According to published reports, the attack resulted in the deaths of three journalists and injuries to three others.
Victims and the impact of the attack
The list of victims included Suleiman Hani Hajjaj, Ismail Kamal Badah, and Samir Hosni al-Rifai. Journalists working near the site were also injured. The loss extends beyond the individuals themselves, disrupting the flow of information about the humanitarian and security conditions faced by the residents.
Legal protection of journalistic work
Civilian journalists are protected persons under international humanitarian law unless they directly participate in hostilities. An independent investigation must be conducted to determine the nature of the target, the circumstances surrounding the attack, and whether distinctions and precautions were observed.
The need for protection and accountability
Media organizations need practical measures in place to ensure the safety of field staff, facilitate their evacuation, and provide medical treatment for the injured. Furthermore, preserving information, testimonies, and evidence helps empower victims’ families to access the truth and seek justice.
The featured image is for illustrative purposes and does not document the event itself. Destruction in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza, February 2025. This is an archive photo and does not document the attack on the journalists’ tent. Photo by: Jaber Jihad Badwan, License CC BY-SA 4.0 — Image page.
