Al Jazeera has released a statement about the killing of its journalist, Mohammed Wishah, in an Israeli drone attack earlier today.
Here it is in full:
“Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns the heinous crime of targeting and killing Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent, Mohammed Wishah, following a strike on the vehicle in which he was travelling west of the Gaza Strip. This constitutes a new and flagrant violation of all international laws and norms, and reflects a continued systematic policy of targeting journalists and silencing the voice of truth.
The targeting of Mohammed Wishah marks yet another episode in a series of deliberate crimes committed against journalists. This killing forms part of a dangerous escalation directly targeting media professionals, in a clear attempt to obstruct reporting of the reality on the ground in the Gaza Strip and to conceal crimes committed against civilians. Mohammed Wishah joins the ranks of Al Jazeera journalists killed by Israeli occupation forces in Gaza: Samer Abu Daqqa, Hamza Al Dahdouh, Ismail Al Ghoul, Ahmed Al Louh, Hossam Shabat, Ibrahim Thaher, Mohammed Qreiqea, Mohammed Nofal, Anas Al Sharif, and Mohammed Salama.
“As Al Jazeera mourns its correspondent Mohammed Wishah, who joined the Network in 2018, it affirms that his killing was not a random act but a deliberate and targeted crime intended to intimidate journalists and prevent them from carrying out their professional duties. The Network holds Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for this crime, which is part of a sustained and systematic pattern of incitement and targeting of its journalists, in an effort to silence them and obstruct coverage of ongoing events.
“While extending its deepest condolences to his family and his colleagues, Al Jazeera affirms that such crimes will not deter it from continuing its journalistic mission. The Network calls on the international community, as well as all human rights and media organisations, to take a firm and urgent stand to halt these grave violations, hold those responsible to account, and bring an end to the policy of impunity that continues to enable such crimes against journalists.
“The Network also affirms its commitment to pursuing all necessary legal action to prosecute those responsible for the killing of its correspondents and staff in Gaza, and to seek justice for them and for all fallen journalists.”
