Al Jazeera Cameraman Killed in Israeli Strike in Southern Gaza, Network Reports
An Al Jazeera cameraman tragically succumbs to injuries sustained in an Israeli attack in southern Gaza, after a distressing wait of five hours for vital medical care
An Al Jazeera journalist died after sustaining severe injuries in an Israeli attack in southern Gaza and being left without medical assistance for five hours, the network reported on Friday.
The camera operator, Samer Abu Daqqa, succumbed to his wounds from the attack, the Qatar-based network stated, and medical personnel were unable to reach him for hours due to ongoing heavy shelling in the area.
Al Jazeera correspondent Wael Dahdouh was injured in the attack, according to a statement from the Qatar-based news network to CNN on Friday. Dahdouh was later evacuated to a hospital, but Abu Daqqas injuries were too severe, and he did not survive, as reported by Walid Alomari, Al Jazeeras bureau chief for Jerusalem and the West Bank. Alomari stated, "Too many in Gaza bleed and die because ambulances are unable to reach them."
Al Jazeera stated that due to poor telecommunications in the area, they did not have additional information about Abu Daqqa's injuries. Abu Daqqa and Dahdouh were on assignment in the southern city of Khan Younis when they were attacked. At least 17 people were killed and many others were injured after artillery fire hit the Haifa school and a residential home in the area early Friday morning.
CNN has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment on its military operations in the area.
Wael Al-Dahdouh, the Gaza bureau chief for Al Jazeera, grieves for his family members who were killed in a strike on October 25. In a video, Al-Dahdouh is seen visibly distressed as he mourns over the body of his son and carries his grandchild's body through al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Gaza.
Journalists family was killed in Gaza strike, says Al Jazeera
Khan Younis has been heavily bombarded by the Israeli military since a fragile truce between Hamas and Israel broke down on 1 December.
The IDF issued a statement on Thursday urging residents of Gaza to relocate from certain areas of Khan Younis to nearby displacement shelters for their safety. This is part of a series of similar messages from the IDF on social media, advising Palestinians to move to different locations to escape the Israeli offensive against Hamas. IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Ardaee posted on X, instructing people in Khan Younis to evacuate from specific "blocks" in the city to three designated shelters for displaced individuals in the western part of the area, and cautioned against using eastern roads due to IDF advances.
Al Jazeera aired a video on Friday showing Dahdouh receiving medical treatment at a hospital for injuries to his right arm and abdomen, and captured the veteran journalist crying out in pain.
This is not the first time tragedy has befallen Dahdouh while he was reporting on the Gaza siege. In October, Al Jazeera reported that an Israeli airstrike had killed Dahdouh's wife, son, and grandson. He learned of the news while he was on air.
As of December 15, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has conducted preliminary investigations and determined that at least 64 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since the siege by Israel began on October 7, following deadly terror attacks by Hamas.
The CPJ reports that the majority of journalists killed in this conflict have been Palestinians, with four Israeli and three Lebanese members of the press also among the casualties. Additionally, 13 journalists have been injured, 13 are missing, and 19 have been arrested, according to the organization.
Why dont you join your family abroad?
Abu Daqqas has been honored by his coworkers for his courageous actions after his passing, with Al Jazeera investigative reporter Tamer Al-Mishal praising him as "skilled" and "an excellent cameraman and editor [who] is fearless."
"I had a conversation with him a few days ago and asked, 'Why don't you join your family abroad?' He replied that they will be back as soon as the war is over," shared Al-Mishal. Abu Daqqa made the decision to stay in Gaza, even though he had worked as a cameraman for Al Jazeera for over 20 years, added Al-Mishal.
Al Jazeera broadcasted a video depicting the emotional scene of the journalist's loved ones grieving over his body at the Al Nasser medical complex near Khan Younis. His mother, Umm Maher, was seen being carried by two people while lamenting, "He hasn't seen his children, he hasn't seen his children."
According to Al Jazeera, Abu Daqqas wife and children, consisting of three boys and a daughter, are currently in Belgium.
"We miss a great dear friend and father of three [boys] and a girl⦠Yes, he had an opportunity to work in Belgium, but he favored his beloved Gaza over Belgium," Alomari said.
