Israeli air strikes in Gaza have killed six people, among them a cameraman working for Al Jazeera, according to Palestinian medical officials. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has drawn a call for restraint from the British government.
The strikes targeted multiple locations in the Gaza Strip. The Al Jazeera employee, identified as Ahmed Abu al-Rish, was killed while covering an earlier bombardment in the Nusseirat refugee camp. Five other individuals, including two children, were also killed in separate attacks, raising the total death toll since Monday to at least 14, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The Israeli military stated that the strikes were aimed at militant infrastructure, including rocket launch sites and weapons storage facilities. It did not comment specifically on the death of the journalist but said it takes precautions to avoid civilian casualties.
In London, the Foreign Office released a statement urging all parties to step back from escalation. “We are deeply concerned by the loss of life in Gaza, including the killing of a journalist. We call on Israel to exercise restraint and on all sides to de-escalate the situation,” a spokesperson said.
The violence comes amid heightened tensions following a series of attacks and retaliatory operations. The United Nations has also expressed alarm, warning that the cycle of violence could spiral into a broader conflict.
The Al Jazeera network condemned the killing of its cameraman, calling for an independent investigation. Press freedom organisations have echoed the demand, noting that journalists must be protected under international humanitarian law.
Since the onset of the current escalation, the number of journalists killed in Gaza has risen to at least 20, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. The Israeli military maintains it does not target media personnel and that it investigates any such incidents.
The diplomatic front remains active, with Egypt and Qatar mediating between the parties. However, no breakthrough has been reported as of Tuesday evening.
This report contains information available at the time of writing and may be updated as the situation develops.