News - Middle East: Ismail Al-Thawabteh, the Director of the Government Media Office in Gaza, has called on the international community to take urgent action to stop the killing and targeting of Palestinian journalists.

He emphasized that Israeli aggression has escalated against civilians, journalists, and civil defense teams, turning these groups into deliberate targets.

Al-Thawabteh confirmed that at least 43 individuals were killed during the Israeli military’s assault on Khalil Awida School in Beit Hanoun. He also stated that the Israeli army assassinated five mayors in the Gaza Strip and has committed a series of massacres against medical teams in recent days.

He further stressed that the Israeli authorities are blocking the entry of more than 600 tons of humanitarian aid stockpiled at the Rafah crossing, urging immediate international intervention to address the worsening humanitarian crisis before it is too late.

Journalists in Gaza face deadly risks amid Israel's ongoing war, with at least 18 media workers killed in November alone, according to MADA. The Israeli military has reportedly targeted journalists and destroyed their homes to suppress coverage of human rights violations.

Since October 2023, 196 journalists have been killed, with over 65 violations against media workers documented in Gaza and the West Bank. Journalists also face communication blackouts, power shortages, and restricted access, complicating their work.

The war, launched after Hamas's Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, has killed over 44,000 Palestinians and injured more than 106,000. Calls grow for international action to hold Israeli leaders accountable for war crimes and protect journalists in conflict zones.