By Our Correspondent

National News – The Israeli military has confirmed that Mohammed Wishah, an Al Jazeera correspondent killed in Gaza on Wednesday, was allegedly a Hamas militant operating under the guise of journalism.

The strike occurred west of the Gaza Strip, targeting the vehicle in which Wishah was traveling.

Al Jazeera condemned the killing as a deliberate act against journalists and held Israeli forces fully responsible, calling it “a heinous crime intended to intimidate media workers.”

Despite a ceasefire in place since October 2025, violence continues in Gaza, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violations.

Reporters Without Borders condemned the killing, noting that over 220 journalists have been killed in Gaza over the past two and a half years, with at least 70 killed while performing their duties.

The Israeli military described Wishah as a “key terrorist involved in Hamas’ rocket and weapons production,” claiming he planned attacks on IDF soldiers and exploited his journalist identity to advance terrorist activities.

Al Jazeera listed Wishah among 11 of its staff killed in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which sparked the ongoing conflict.

Previous victims include Mohammad Salama, killed in August 2025, and four staff members plus two freelancers killed outside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, prompting international condemnation.

The channel has vowed to pursue all legal avenues to hold those responsible accountable and seek justice for the journalists who lost their lives.

The incident raises urgent questions about press safety in conflict zones and the challenges of distinguishing between combatants and media personnel in highly militarized environments.

As violence persists in Gaza, international calls for protection of journalists and accountability for targeted attacks remain critical.