The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) condemns, in the strongest terms, the brutal murder of six Al Jazeera staff and journalists in Gaza City by a targeted Israeli military strike.

ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle stated: “Journalists are civilians protected under international humanitarian law. Any attack on clearly identified media workers is an outrage and a potential war crime. We join the IFJ in calling for an immediate, independent investigation with those responsible held to account.”

The victims were in a tent housing journalists, outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which was hit by an Israeli airstrike. They were:

• Journalist Anas al-Sharif.
• Correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh.
• Camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Moamen Aliwa.
• Driver Mohammed Noufal.
• Freelance photojournalist Mohammed al-Khaldi, who died the next day from wounds sustained in the attack.

Since October 2023, around 200 journalists and media workers have been killed in the conflict, an unprecedented toll.

Luc Triangle continued: “This is an appalling assault on press freedom and a grave breach of international law. By blocking independent journalists from entering Gaza, Israel acts without the scrutiny of impartial reporting. Journalists are needed there now more than ever to show the world what is happening on the ground. Political inaction in the face of such crimes is criminal negligence.

“We call for an immediate ceasefire, an independent investigation, accountability for perpetrators, and concrete steps towards a just peace that protects every civilian life. The ITUC stands with journalists and all civilians in Gaza and Israel who continue to pay the price of political inaction.”

The ITUC reiterates its core demands to end the conflict detailed here:

• An immediate, permanent ceasefire.
• The release of all hostages, and the release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained.
• Full, safe, sustained humanitarian access and the lifting of the siege on Gaza.
• Accountability for all violations of international law, including independent, international investigations into attacks on civilians and journalists.
• A halt to arms transfers that risk facilitating serious violations.
• A credible political pathway, grounded in international law and UN resolutions, to end the occupation and secure a just and lasting peace.

Luc Triangle concluded: “Freedom to report and freedom of expression are fundamental democratic values that are non-negotiable, even in times of conflict. As the world’s largest democratic force campaigning to defend democracy, the trade union movement will not stay silent when these values are attacked.”