By Quds News Network
Gaza (Quds News Network)- Nine Palestinians, including three journalists, were killed and several wounded in an Israeli attack targeting a civilian vehicle in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza on Saturday.
Mohammad Hassna, a humanitarian worker, stated that the occupation forces struck a vehicle that was transporting aid distribution teams in the northern Gaza Strip, according to Al Jazeera.
The Palestinian Journalists Protection Center (PJPS) confirmed the killing of the three journalists in an airstrike targeting a media team documenting humanitarian efforts in northern Gaza. Among the victims are Mahmoud Al-Saraj, Bilal Akila, and Mahmoud Isleim.
It said the journalists were documenting “aid efforts for those affected by the ongoing Israeli genocide,” adding “targeting journalists obstructs the flow of information and prevents the world from seeing the true situation in Gaza.”
The attack constitutes a “war crime aimed at press freedom and the safety of media and humanitarian workers,” it said.
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The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that several others were critically injured in the attack.
Israeli Airstrike on Northern Gaza Targeted Aid Team Building Shelter Center
The Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza killed nine people who were working on a shelter center in Beit Lahia. According to Gaza’s Civil Defense spokesperson, the victims were targeted while engaged in humanitarian efforts.
The Israeli army claimed the strike was aimed at “individuals operating a small drone”. However, reports indicate that the victims were journalists and photographers from a charity organization. They were reportedly using the drone to document relief activities.
The Palestinian Journalists Protection Center (PJPS) condemned the attack as a war crime. It warned that targeting media professionals restricts information flow and hides the truth about Gaza’s situation.
Hamas issued a statement condemning the horrific massacre, calling it an escalation of war crimes against civilians, journalists, and humanitarian workers. The resistance movement stated that Israel has been violating international laws and deliberately undermining the ceasefire agreement. Hamas stated that the attack reflects Israel’s intent to sabotage ongoing negotiations for a prisoner exchange and ceasefire extension. The movement called on international mediators, the United Nations, and other global bodies to take urgent action to hold Israel accountable and stop further aggression.
Israeli bombardment across Gaza has not stopped. Israel has breached the ceasefire agreement over 962 times since January 19, 2025. These violations have killed 116 civilians and injured 490 since early March.
Israel has also failed to meet its obligations to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. The agreement required 50 fuel trucks daily, but only 978 have entered in 42 days. This averages just 23 trucks per day. The humanitarian crisis worsens as Israel blocks essential supplies. Only 15 mobile homes have entered, despite the urgent need for 60,000 to shelter displaced families.
Heavy machinery for clearing debris and recovering bodies remains restricted. Only nine machines have been allowed, while at least 500 are needed. Construction materials and medical equipment remain blocked, further crippling Gaza’s healthcare system. For the past 14 days, Israel has completely halted humanitarian aid, worsening food shortages and deepening the crisis.
16 March 2025
Source: countercurrents.org