Palestinian International Organization for Peace and Human Rights

March 24, 2025

On March 24, 2025, journalist Mohammed Mansour, a correspondent for Palestine Today TV, was killed in an airstrike that targeted his home in Khan Younis, and his wife was injured. On the same day, journalist Hossam Shabat, a contributor to Al Jazeera, was killed in an airstrike that targeted the car he was traveling in in northern Gaza. These two incidents demonstrate the extent of the dangers faced by journalists covering military operations.

Human and professional impacts

With the death of journalists, society loses voices that document the realities of the population and monitor their needs, leaving families facing both a human and professional loss. The facts necessitate a separate investigation into the circumstances of the two airstrikes, including the location, time, nature of the targets, and the intelligence upon which the military decision was based.

Legal protection

Civilian journalists are entitled to the protection afforded to civilians under international humanitarian law, unless they directly participate in hostilities. Any attack resulting in the death of journalists necessitates an effective investigation that respects the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions.

The need for accountability and response

Protecting media workers and ensuring access to investigation and justice for victims’ families remain essential steps to safeguard press freedom and the right to know.

Featured image: Illustrative archive image and does not document the event. Ruins in Jabalia, photo by Jaber Jihad Badwan, license CC BY-SA 4.0 — Image source.