The killing of Palestinian journalist Hasan Eslih in an Israeli airstrike has drawn strong condemnation from Palestinian factions, who accused Israel of deliberately targeting members of the press amid its ongoing assault on Gaza.

In an official statement, Hamas described the incident as a “cowardly assassination crime” committed by Israeli forces, calling it a clear violation of international and humanitarian law.

“The assassination of Aslih is a flagrant violation of all international and humanitarian laws and reflects the occupation’s moral and media bankruptcy,” the statement said. Hamas also noted that at least 215 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war in October 2023.

Eslih was killed while receiving treatment at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, following injuries sustained in a previous Israeli strike that had already claimed the lives of fellow journalist Helmi al-Fuqawi and a civilian.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) also mourned Eslih’s death, calling it a “cowardly war crime” and stating that the killing “confirms once again that this enemy does not hesitate to target free speech, just as it targets stones and people.”

The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that in the past 24 hours alone, at least 46 people were killed and 73 injured across the enclave.

Since the start of the war, Israel’s military campaign has resulted in at least 52,908 deaths and 119,721 injuries, according to the Health Ministry. Thousands more remain missing, believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings.

Following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement on March 18, Israeli forces resumed heavy bombardment of Gaza. In the nearly two months since, an additional 2,780 people have been killed and 7,680 wounded.

International rights organizations and press freedom advocates have raised alarm over what they describe as systematic attacks on journalists, medical staff, and civilian infrastructure, warning that such actions may amount to war crimes under international law.

As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, Eslih’s killing has become another symbol of the growing dangers faced by journalists covering the conflict from within Gaza. (ILKHA)