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The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has strongly condemned the Israeli targeting of six Palestinian journalists in Gaza, describing the killings as an “unacceptable” war crime that breaches international humanitarian law. In a statement quoted by the United Nations, Azoulay demanded an independent and transparent investigation into the August 10 incident, which claimed the lives of journalists working for Al Jazeera International News Channel and a freelance photojournalist. She also reaffirmed the need for all parties to respect UN Security Council Resolution 2222, adopted in 2015, which affirms the civilian status of journalists in armed conflicts.

According to UNESCO, the journalists killed were Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qariqa, Ibrahim Zahir, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, all of whom worked for Al Jazeera, as well as freelance photojournalist Mohammed al-Qadi. Azoulay stressed that targeting members of the press covering conflicts not only undermines press freedom but also deprives the public of vital, independent reporting from war zones.

UNESCO data shows that at least 62 journalists and media workers have been killed in Palestine since October 2023 while carrying out their duties. This figure excludes those who died from causes unrelated to their work. Azoulay reiterated that protecting journalists is essential for ensuring the free flow of information and accountability during wartime, warning that continued violations put media personnel at unprecedented risk.