Israel has killed 246 journalists in besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza since October 2023
China on Tuesday expressed “shock” over the killing of journalists by Israel in the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza.
“We are shocked to hear again that correspondents tragically lost their lives in the conflict (on Monday) and we condemn the attack,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.
He was reacting to the Israeli attack on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, which left at least 47 Palestinians, including six journalists, dead on Monday, triggering global outcry.
“We mourn for the lives lost and express sympathies with the bereaved families,” said Guo. “China is closely following what is happening in Gaza.”
The new fatalities among the media personnel in Gaza brought the number of Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 2023 to 246.
Israel has killed more journalists in any conflict around the world in recent times.
The Foreign Press Association denounced the latest Israeli strikes, expressing "outrage" and "shock."
Describing it as the "deadliest Israeli attacks on journalists working for international media since the Gaza war began," the association said the "strikes hit the exterior staircase of the hospital where journalists frequently stationed themselves with their cameras. The strikes came with no warning."
"We demand an immediate explanation from the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office," it said, calling on Israel to "halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists."
Israel has killed more than 62,700 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
