What’s new:
The Israel Defense Forces have countered accusations that two Palestinian journalists, Hamza al-Dahdouh and Mustafa Thuria, were killed by IDF strikes, presenting evidence that both men were actually affiliates of militant groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, in Gaza.
Why it matters:
The deaths of individuals identified as journalists often attract international scrutiny and can affect Israel’s global image and relations. The IDF’s claims underscore the complexity of identifying combatants in a heavily militarized and propagandized environment.
The Big Picture:
Distinctions between militants and civilians in conflict zones like Gaza can be blurred, with terrorist organizations sometimes employing individuals in dual roles, adding to the challenges faced during military engagements.
Details about the Evidence:
The IDF reports that documents found in Gaza reveal the military roles of Thuria and al-Dahdouh within their respective militant groups. Mustafa Thuria, listed as a deputy commander in Hamas, and Hamza al-Dahdouh, tied to Islamic Jihad’s missile units and categorized as an electronic engineer, seemingly served dual functions encompassing armed activity alongside their reported journalistic roles.
The IDF’s Defense:
The Israel military states that it targeted and killed the pair following the identification of an enemy drone, previously utilized by Hamas for monitoring IDF soldier movements, with al-Dahdouh pinpointed as responsible for a sector under the PIJ’s missile units and Thuria identified inside the vehicle with drone control equipment.
The Response from Al Jazeera:
Al Jazeera condemned what it reported as the “assassination” of journalist al-Dahdouh, who was also the son of Wael al-Dahdouh, Al Jazeera bureau chief in Gaza, and highlighted recent casualties including the earlier loss of Dahloul’s wife and children to another strike. Al Jazeera’s report heightened the tensions and highlighted the immediate and far-reaching repercussions of the incident in media and international circles.
In context:
Sources in Gaza indicated a significantly high number of journalist casualties in the conflict, pointing to at least 109 deaths. This statistic, while not verified against the IDF’s disclosures, represents the high risks and fatal costs associated with covering and participating in the ongoing conflict.
This story was first published on ynetnews.com.