The IDF takes all operationally feasible measures to mitigate harm to civilians including journalists. The IDF has never, and will never, deliberately target journalists.
Remaining in an active combat zone has inherent risks. The IDF will continue to counter threats while persisting to mitigate harm to civilians.
The IDF directs its strikes only towards military targets and military operatives, and does not target civilian objects and civilians, including media organizations and journalists as such.
Listed below are examples of so-called journalists named in CPJ’s reports who’ve been found to have actively participated in and led terror efforts against Israel:
Mustafa Thuria
Mustafa Thuria – a so-called freelance journalist for AFP — was identified in a document found by IDF troops in Gaza in which he is listed as a member of Hamas' Gaza City Brigade, serving as Squad Deputy Commander in the al-Qadisiyyah Battalion.
Hamza al-Dahdouh
Hamza al-Dahdouh, disguised himself as a journalist and cameraman for Al-Jazeera. In practice, Hamza Wael al-Dahdouh, is a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist, and was involved in the organization’s terrorist activities. Documents found by IDF troops in the Gaza Strip reveal his role in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and his previous role as a deputy commander in the Zeitun Battalion's Rocket Array.
For obvious reasons, the IDF cannot disclose the intelligence that proves affiliation with the terrorist organisations, as it will indicate its source and thus harm the intelligence gathering efforts
Attached is a copy of the document featuring a list of operatives from the electronic engineering unit of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization, including al-Dahdouh and his military number:
Ismail Abu Omar
On Tuesday, February 13th, the Al Jazeera news network reported that one of their journalists was injured during an IDF strike in the southern Gaza Strip.
Ismail Abu Omar, the journalist that the Al Jazeera news network reported about, is a deputy company commander in Hamas' Eastern Battalion of Khan Yunis. Abu Omar even filmed himself in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7th massacre and published it on social media platforms.
Attached is a photo of Ismail Abu Omar from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7th massacre:
Hazma Murtaja
Hazma Murtaja, said by CPJ to have a been a camera operator for Recod Media, was an operative in the military branch of Hamas and was struck while staying at a Hamas command and control center that was embedded and hidden by the Hamas terrorist organization inside the “Mustafa Khaft” School compound in Gaza City.
Ismail Al-Ghoul
Ismail Al-Ghoul, who was employed by Al-Jazeera, also participated in the October 7th massacre.
Attached are the IDF announcements regarding Ismail Al-Ghoul:
