Israel killed journalists to commit ‘major massacre without sound, image’ in Gaza: Hospital director

ISTANBUL

Israel has killed Al Jazeera journalists to prevent coverage of a major massacre that it intends to carry out, the director of Al-Shifa Hospital said on Monday.

“The (Israeli) occupation is preparing for a major massacre in Gaza, but this time without sound or image,” Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya told Anadolu.

“It wants to kill and displace the largest number of Palestinians in Gaza City, but this time in the absence of the voice of Anas, Mohamed, Al Jazeera, and all satellite channels,” he said.

The Israeli army targeted a journalists’ tent near the Al-Shifa Hospital in western Gaza City late Sunday, killing six journalists, including Al Jazeera correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohamed Qraiqea, according to the Gaza Government Media Office.

"We fear that we will die and no one will hear from us. Israel's killing of journalists indicates that it is planning something big for Gaza City,” Abu Salmiya added.

With the death of Sharif and Qraiqea, “Gaza and the world lost a voice that was reporting the (Israeli) oppression that our people face in the Gaza Strip,” he said.

According to Abu Salmiya, Israel’s deliberate targeting of journalists and medical teams has been one of the main features of its genocidal war in Gaza.

At least 238 journalists have been killed by the Israeli army since October 2023 in the Gaza Strip, according to the media office.

Israel is facing mounting condemnation for its genocidal war on Gaza, where it has killed more than 61,400 victims since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last month, Israeli rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing the systematic destruction of Palestinian society and the deliberate dismantling of the territory’s health care system.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.