Roberta Metsola Calls For End To Killings Of Journalists In Gaza
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has condemned the killing of journalists in Gaza, urging an end to their targeting amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment.
Her comments come after Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif and four of his colleagues were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a tent sheltering journalists outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The attack, which took place on Sunday evening, left seven people dead in total, including Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa.
Al Jazeera described the strike as a “premeditated assassination”, while press freedom groups, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, and international human rights organisations denounced it as a serious violation of international law.
Posting on X, Metsola wrote, “Journalists should never be a target. The killing of journalists in Gaza under Israeli bombardment must end. The international community needs to redouble efforts to ensure a ceasefire and the release of the hostages as a step towards lasting peace and stability. Escalation is not the answer.”
Her post also included a reshared statement from December 2023, issued after another film crew was killed, in which she stressed the need to do more to ensure journalists’ safety and ability to report from the ground. On both occasions, she stopped short of explicitly naming Israel as responsible, a point noted by observers and prompting criticism from some academics, journalists and activists.
The attack on Sunday evening left seven people dead, including Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa.
Al-Sharif, a 28-year-old correspondent known for reporting from northern Gaza, had posted on X shortly before his death about heavy Israeli bombardment in the city.
In a final message prepared before his killing, he wrote of enduring grief and loss but said he never hesitated to convey the truth.
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