Reuters photographer resigns, accusing company of ‘enabling’ killing of Palestinian journalists

A journalist has publicly resigned from the Reuters information company, accusing it of “enabling” the Israeli killing of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.

Valerie Zink, a photojournalist who labored for the corporate as a contractor for eight years, posted an image on social media of her Reuters card severed in two, saying it had been concerned in a “betrayal of journalists” with regard to its protection of the battle on Gaza.

She referred to the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif earlier this month and the double-tap air strikes that killed 5 journalists – together with Middle East Eye reporters – at Nasser Hospital in Gaza on Monday.

“When Israel murdered Anas al-Sharif, together with the entire Al-Jazeera crew in Gaza City on August 10, Reuters chose to publish Israel’s entirely baseless claim that al-Sharif was a Hamas operative – one of countless lies that media outlets like Reuters have dutifully repeated and dignified,” wrote Zink.

“Reuters’ willingness to perpetuate Israel’s propaganda has not spared their very own reporters from Israel’s genocide.

“Five more journalists, including Reuters cameraman Hossam al-Masri, were among 20 people killed this morning in another attack on Nasser hospital.”

MEE contributors Mohamed Salama and Ahmed Abu Aziz have been additionally amongst these killed within the strike, which Israel has claimed was a “mistake” in its English language communications.

Israel’s Channel 14 has in the meantime reported that the attack was approved by and coordinated with senior army commanders.

Reuters and AP letter

Abu Aziz began reporting for MEE in early 2024, turning into its major correspondent in southern Gaza.

He labored beneath the identify Ahmed Aziz for safety causes.

Israeli forces bombed the fourth ground of Nasser Hospital at round 11am native time, then moments later, based on movies seen by MEE, fired a second missile intentionally at reporters, bystanders and first responders who had gathered to assist recuperate the useless and wounded.

The methodology of attacking first responders to a strike is named a double-tap assault.

At the time of the strike, movies confirmed smoke billowing from an higher degree on the hospital as rescue staff, standing on what seemed to be a staircase, appealed to these at floor degree for assist. 

Gaza genocide: How the coverage of ‘nowhere residence’ strips Palestinians of their identification

Read More »

Then the second missile struck the precise space the place they’d amassed, with a correspondent for Jordan’s Al-Ghad TV channel crying out throughout a reside broadcast that harmless folks had been killed.

At least three different journalists have been among the many 19 Palestinians killed within the assault, together with Mariam Dagga, a contract reporter who labored with a number of media retailers together with the Associated Press; Hussam al-Masri, a photojournalist with Reuters; and freelance reporter Moaz Abu Taha.

On Monday, Reuters and the Associated Press despatched a joint letter to Israeli officers demanding a “clear explanation” for the killing of the journalists.

“We are outraged that independent journalists were among the victims of this strike on the hospital, a location that is protected under international law. These journalists were present in their professional capacity, doing critical work bearing witness,” the letter learn.

The businesses additionally questioned the Israeli army’s willingness to analyze itself in such incidents as a result of its observe report and demanded an “urgent and transparent” accountability.

“Unfortunately, we have found the IDF’s willingness and ability to investigate itself in past incidents to rarely result in clarity and action, raising serious questions including whether Israel is deliberately targeting live feeds in order to suppress information,” they mentioned.

Since October 2023, Israel has killed 245 Palestinian journalists in Gaza.