Six journalists, including Al Jazeera correspondents Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqaa, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City, near Al-Shifa Hospital, on the 675th day of the ongoing conflict. The attack also claimed the life of cameraman Mohammed Al-Khaldi and three other journalists. The Israeli army acknowledged targeting Al-Sharif. This incident brings the total number of journalists killed in Gaza since the start of the war to 238, according to the Government Media Office. The death toll from the war, which began on October 7, 2023, continues to rise. In the last 24 hours, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported 69 Palestinians killed and 362 wounded, raising the total number of deaths to 61,499, with 153,575 injured. Since the resumption of hostilities on March 18, 989 Palestinians have lost their lives, with 41,534 wounded. The killing of journalists in Gaza has drawn widespread international condemnation. The Egyptian Journalists Syndicate called the attack a "heinous crime" and an "assassination of the world's conscience." The UN Human Rights Office described the targeting of journalists as a "grave violation of international humanitarian law" and called for greater protection for civilians and journalists in the region. The EU's humanitarian commissioner also denounced the strike as a violation of press freedom. In addition to the attacks on journalists, political tensions have escalated following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement of plans to occupy Gaza City. The Arab League condemned the move as a "blatant act of aggression," warning that it threatens Arab national security. The UN Security Council expressed concern that the occupation could exacerbate the conflict and ignite even further tragedy. French President Emmanuel Macron labeled Netanyahu's plan a "guaranteed disaster," which he argued would harm both Israeli hostages and Gaza's civilian population. Macron called for an international coalition under a UN mandate to combat terrorism and stabilize Gaza. In Rome, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto accused Israel of losing "reason and humanity" in its actions, hinting at potential sanctions. He compared Netanyahu's methods to those of Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging the international community to take concrete measures to force a change in course. In Washington, Senator Bernie Sanders criticized Israel's current policies, calling the country a "quasi-pariah state." He accused Netanyahu's government of waging war against all Palestinians, even as it retained the right to respond to Hamas's attacks. As Israeli airstrikes continue, the Izz al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, claimed responsibility for hitting an Israeli command and control site near Tel Al-Zaarab in southern Rafah. On the diplomatic front, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's rejection of Israel's military expansion in Gaza. During a call with his German counterpart, Abdelatty warned of the severe consequences of further escalation and urged the EU to act swiftly. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul commended Egypt's efforts to secure a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, while acknowledging the grave risks posed by an expanded Israeli military operation. As the bombardment continues and the death toll climbs, international warnings are intensifying that the deepening occupation will only worsen Gaza's humanitarian crisis and prolong the war. The international community's failure to enforce a lasting ceasefire or protect civilians remains a critical concern, with calls for a more robust intervention growing louder.
