Wave of Journalist Deaths in Gaza: April 2025
A series of incidents in the Gaza Strip in April 2025 resulted in the deaths of multiple journalists, according to reports from various sources. The events occurred against the backdrop of a ceasefire agreement that took effect in October 2024, though violations have been reported by multiple parties.
Incidents Overview
April 8: Death of Mohammed Wishah
Mohammed Wishah, a correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher, was killed on April 8, 2025. The incident occurred when a car he was traveling in on al-Rashid Street, west of Gaza City, was hit by an Israeli drone strike, according to sources who spoke to Al Jazeera. The vehicle subsequently caught fire. Wishah had been a correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher since 2018.
April 12: Death of Ahmed Wishah
Ahmed Wishah, a cameraman for Al Jazeera Mubasher and brother of Mohammed Wishah, was killed on April 12, 2025, in an Israeli airstrike in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, according to the network. Two other people were also killed in the same strike.
April 16: Death of Three Journalists
On April 16, 2025, three journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Al-Zahra area, southwest of Gaza City, according to Gaza's civil defense agency. The journalists were identified as:
- Mohammad Qeshta (also reported as Mohammed Salah Qashta), a spokesperson for the Egyptian Relief Committee
- Anas Ghnaim (also reported as Anas Ghunaim), a freelance photographer
- Abed Shaat (also reported as Abdul Raouf Shaath), a contributor to Agence France-Presse (AFP) and CBS News
According to an eyewitness report to AFP, the journalists were using a drone to photograph aid distribution by the Egyptian Relief Committee when a strike targeted a vehicle accompanying them.
Statements and Claims
Al Jazeera Media Network
The Al Jazeera Media Network issued statements condemning the killings of Mohammed Wishah and Ahmed Wishah. The network described Mohammed Wishah's death as a violation of international laws and norms. Al Jazeera reported that a total of 12 to 13 of its employees have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
The IDF issued statements regarding the incidents:
- For the April 12 strike on Ahmed Wishah: The IDF stated he was a member of Hamas' military wing and a sniper operative, and was eliminated along with two other Hamas militants.
- For the April 16 strike on three journalists: The IDF stated that troops "identified several suspects who operated a drone affiliated with Hamas in the central Gaza Strip, in a manner that posed a threat to their safety" and subsequently "struck the suspects who activated the drone." The IDF added that details of the incident are under review.
Other Reported Claims
- Al Jazeera denied IDF claims regarding Mohammed Wishah's affiliation with Hamas.
- A source close to Hamas told the Committee to Protect Journalists that Mohammed Wishah had no affiliation with Hamas.
- The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate condemned the strikes, characterizing them as part of a "systematic and deliberate policy" to target Palestinian journalists.
- Mohammed Mansour, a spokesman for the Egyptian Relief Committee in the Gaza Strip, confirmed that one of its vehicles was targeted during a humanitarian mission, resulting in three fatalities. Mansour stated that all committee vehicles bear its logo.
Casualty Figures and Context
Journalist Casualties
The Gaza Government Media Office reported that at least 262 journalists have been killed in Israeli operations in Gaza since October 2023.
Broader Casualty Figures
According to Gaza's Health Ministry:
- Since October 2023: Over 72,000 people have been killed and more than 171,000 injured in the Gaza Strip.
- Since the ceasefire took effect in October 2024: At least 733 to 1,012 Palestinians have been killed and 2,034 injured in Israeli actions.
The Israeli military reported five deaths in its ranks during the same ceasefire period.
Ceasefire Context
The assault by Israel on Gaza was initiated in October 2023 and paused under a US-backed ceasefire that began in October 2024. The Gaza Government Media Office reported approximately 2,000 violations by the Israeli military since the ceasefire took effect. Israel and Hamas have each accused the other of violating the truce.
Verification Notes
News organizations face restrictions and limited access in Gaza, making independent verification of casualty tolls difficult. The Israeli army states it does not deliberately target journalists but has killed individuals it claims are militants disguised as media professionals.