ALBAWABA - As Israel Occupation Forces continue to mercilessly target civilians, especially journalists who continue to report on the ongoing brutality in Gaza, media NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announced that it will be filing a third complaint about Israeli war crimes against journalists at the Hauge.
The complaint demands the investigation of crimes against "at least nine Palestinian reporters between 15 December and 20 May, as well as, more broadly, the more than 100 journalists that the Israel Occupation Forces (IOF) have killed since 7 October in Gaza".
RSF submitted its official complaint on May 24th, just days after ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced issuing arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas officials concerning the ongoing aggression on Gaza.
RSF has filed its third complaint with the Hague-based ICC because the number of journalists killed in Gaza by the IOF has surpassed 100, indicating the deliberate elimination of Palestinian media.
The complaint, which follows two previous ones submitted on October 31 and December 22, showcases the latest examples of Palestinian journalists targeted by Israel between December 20 and May 20, as well as one case involving an injured journalist.
All of the journalists involved were killed (or injured) while working. RSF has reasonable grounds to believe that some of these journalists were purposefully slain, while others were victims of deliberate IOF attacks on civilians.
RSF’s advocacy and assistance director, Antoine Bernard, condemned the deliberate targeting of journalists, saying that it is an attack on people's right to truth and information.
"Impunity endangers journalists not only in Palestine but also throughout the world. Those who kill journalists are attacking the public's right to information, which is even more essential in times of conflict. They must be held accountable, and RSF will continue to work to this end, in solidarity with Gaza’s reporters," Bernard stated.
Several Gazan journalists are mentioned in the complaint including Mustafa Thuraya and Hamza al-Dahdouh, son of Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief, Wael al-Dahdouh.
Thuraya and al-Dahdouh were targeted in their vehicle on 7 January in Rafah while working as freelance reporters for Al Jazeera leading to their killing and the injury of Hazem Rajab.
The IOF issued a statement on 10 January claiming that an Israeli aircraft "directed by troops targeted the operators of a drone, posing a threat to our soldiers," referring to a drone used by Thuraya.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
