April 9, 2026
Press Release
Al-Dameer: The Israeli Occupation Continues Its Policy of Targeting the Truth to Prevent the Coverage, Documentation, and Exposure of Genocide Crimes
Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights – Gaza affirms that Israeli occupation forces continue to kill and target male and female journalists during the ongoing genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. These acts constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, as well as a direct assault on press freedom and the public’s right to access information. This crime occurs within the context of escalating grave violations targeting media professionals, in an attempt to silence the voice of truth and conceal the suffering of civilians from the eyes of the world.
According to field monitoring information obtained by Al-Dameer, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Israeli occupation aircraft targeted the vehicle of journalist Mohammed Samir Washah, 40, a correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher and a resident of Al-Bureij in the Central Governorate. The attack resulted in his immediate killing and injured two passing civilians, including a child. The incident occurred on Al-Rashid Street near Al-Nabulsi Roundabout in the Sheikh Ajleen area.
With this attack, the number of journalists killed in the Gaza Strip rises to 262. This constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocol I of 1977, which guarantee protection for journalists performing their professional duties in areas of armed conflict. It also represents a blatant violation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Al-Dameer affirms that this crime reflects the continuation of a systematic policy targeting journalists and media institutions in the Gaza Strip, threatening their safety and undermining their vital role in conveying the truth and documenting violations against civilians. Accordingly, Al-Dameer calls on the international community to publicly condemn the targeting of journalists and to exert pressure on the occupying power to immediately halt such attacks. It further urges the prompt provision of international protection for civilians, including journalists, in the Gaza Strip.
Al-Dameer also calls upon the United Nations and the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to compel the Israeli occupation to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality.
Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights – Gaza