In a tragic event on Sunday, two Palestinian journalists fell victim to an Israeli bombing that targeted their car in Gaza. This devastating incident marks the loss of Hamza Wael Al-Dahdouh, the son of Al Jazeera’s bureau chief in the Strip, Wael Al-Dahdouh, and Mustafa Thuraya. The death toll has risen to 109 since October 7 in such strikes.

The strike, occurring in Khan Younis, was captured in distressing footage circulating on social media, revealing the aftermath of the attack. The burnt-out vehicle surrounded by hundreds bore witness to the loss of these individuals who were documenting the aftermath of overnight attacks on homes near Khan Younis’ connecting road to Rafah.

Expressing condemnation, Gaza’s government media office highlighted Israel’s alleged intent to intimidate journalists and obstruct truth through such attacks, a sentiment echoed by Al Jazeera’s Wael Dahdouh, mourning the loss of yet another family member due to Israel’s assault on the territory.

Reporters Without Borders’ Secretary General, Christophe Deloire, characterised the bombing as part of an ongoing and tragic sequence of events, labelling it a ‘never-ending slaughter’. Anan Quzmar, a volunteer at the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS), deemed this incident as yet another targeted strike against journalists in Gaza, calling it a ‘surgical attack’.

The loss of these journalists adds to the distressing toll in a region fraught with conflict, drawing international concern and condemnation for the safety and protection of journalists in such volatile zones.