Doha, Qatar: The French embassy in Doha, in a post on the X platform, has condemned the recent killing of journalists in the Gaza Strip by an Israeli strike, reflecting the stance of the French government. It stressed the need to protect journalists and allow them to carry out their duties without hindrance.
The post on X stated, “France condemns the Israeli strikes that killed a team of journalists from Al Jazeera news channel in the Gaza Strip while they were carrying out their duties. France expresses its deep concern about the heavy toll paid by journalists in Gaza; more than 200 have been killed in Israeli strikes since the beginning of the conflict.
France reiterates its commitment to press freedom, freedom of expression, and the protection of journalists and media professionals. Journalists must never be targeted. They are protected by international humanitarian law in the same way as civilians. France calls on the Israeli authorities to guarantee safe and unhindered access to the Gaza Strip for international journalists. They must be able to operate to document the reality of the conflict.”
Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif was killed alongside several colleagues in a targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists in Gaza City.
The attack, which took place late on Sunday, targeted the tent located outside the main gate of Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital. It also killed Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal, freelance cameraman Momen Aliwa, and freelance journalist Mohammed Al-Khalidi.
