Journalists hold vigils

NUJ journalists’ union members across the UK and Ireland held vigils and protests after Israeli forces killed at least seven people including five Al Jazeera staff and a freelance photojournalist in an air strike on a tent outside the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza last month.

According to the International Federation of Journalists, at least 195 journalists and media workers, including 181 Palestinians, have been killed since 7 October 2023, making it “the deadliest war” for the profession in recent history. NUJ members protested and held solidarity vigils and rallies in cities including Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Edinburgh, Cardiff and London.

The union deplored the killings of camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa and their assistant Mohammed Noufal, correspondents Mohammed Qreiqeh and Anas al-Sharif, and freelance photojournalist Mohammed Al-Khaldi.

“This is a horrific attack,” said NUJ general secretary Laura Davison. “Journalists have specific rights under international law and once again these rights have been violated while other civilians have been killed as collateral damage.”

Meanwhile, the BMA doctors’ union published a new report, Medicine under attack: the increasing assault on healthcare in conflict zones.

This examines the rise in assaults in wars in Syria, Sudan and Ukraine as well as Gaza, despite the protection of healthcare under international humanitarian law. The report says healthcare workers, facilities, transport and patients, as well as humanitarian aid, are being attacked in conflicts around the world.