Hamas has strongly condemned Israel for what it called as a deliberate and coordinated attack on Palestinian journalists, calling it part of an “ongoing campaign of persecution and killing” aimed at silencing media voices in Gaza.

The group identified the five journalists killed in Israel’s latest round of air strikes as Aziz al-Hajjar, Nour Qandil, Abdul Rahman al-Abadlah, Khaled Abu Saif and Ahmed al-Zinati.

According to Hamas, “their homes and tents were bombed at dawn today, leading to their martyrdom, along with their children and families, in a complex crime that embodies the brutality of this fascist entity”.

It added that Israel’s actions reflect a systematic effort to wipe out independent reporting from Gaza, where journalists have continued to document the devastating impact of the war.

“The fact that the world remains paralysed in the face of these crimes – committed for months in full view of the international community – is reprehensible,” the statement said.

Since 7 October 2023, Israeli assaults have killed over 230 Palestinian journalists and media professionals in Gaza, marking the bloodiest period on record for the press in any conflict.