Tel Aviv [Israel], December 17: The Foreign Press Association (FPA) has called on the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to investigate the death of Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abudaqa while reporting from Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.
"The Foreign Press Association grieves the death of our longtime FPA member Samer Abu Daqqa, a veteran Al Jazeera cameraman in Gaza," the FPA posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"He is the first FPA member to be killed in the Gaza war. We consider this a grave blow to the already limited freedom of the press in Gaza," it added.
The IDF rejected all allegations that it was targeting journalists, saying that it took "all operationally feasible measures" to protect both civilians and journalists. "The IDF has never, and will never, deliberately target journalists," it said.
Al Jazeera said the father of four had been hit by an Israeli drone strike on Friday while reporting at Farhana school. Rescue teams were unable to reach the cameraman due to Israeli bombardments. Abudaqa was buried on Saturday.
Source: Qatar Tribune