Israeli Airstrike Claims Life of Al-Jazeera Cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa in Gaza

Palestinian journalist and Al-Jazeera cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa lost his life on Friday during an Israeli military strike in Khan Yunis, Gaza, where he was covering the ongoing conflict.

The Israeli strike also targeted Wael al-Dahdouh, a Palestinian journalist who recently suffered the loss of most of his family in another Israeli airstrike on their home in the Nuseirat refugee camp.

The incident occurred near the Farhana Girls School in Khan Yunis, where Abu Daqqa, al-Dahdouh, other journalists, and civil defense workers were hit by an Israeli missile. While al-Dahdouh managed to reach the hospital despite his injuries, Abu Daqqa sustained critical wounds and couldn’t be evacuated promptly.

During al-Dahdouh’s treatment at Nasser Hospital, he repeatedly cried out for Samer. Israeli forces, however, denied the evacuation of Abu Daqqa, and six hours later, he tragically succumbed to his injuries. Video footage released by Al-Jazeera depicts Abu Daqqa’s grieving family surrounding his lifeless body, with his mother and relatives frantically calling his name.

The heartbreaking scenes also show a Palestinian medic, in a bloody uniform, leading the call to prayer amidst the emotional crowd. Three other civil defense workers lost their lives in the same Israeli strike.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate reported that, including Abu Daqqa, a total of 89 Palestinian journalists have been killed while covering the Israeli offensive in Gaza.