Palestinian journalist Hassan Majdi Abu Warda was killed along with several members of his family early Sunday morning when Israeli warplanes targeted their home in the Jabalia al-Nazla neighborhood of northern Gaza, according to medical sources.

The airstrike is part of Israel’s continued military campaign on the Gaza Strip, which began in October 2023 and has resulted in widespread civilian casualties and destruction.

Abu Warda’s death marks a grim milestone in the conflict, bringing the total number of journalists killed since October 7, 2023, to over 221. Hundreds more have been injured or detained during the same period, highlighting the extreme dangers faced by media professionals attempting to report from within the war zone.

The broader toll of Israel’s offensive continues to mount. At least 53,901 Palestinians have been confirmed killed, with more than 122,593 injured. Thousands more remain unaccounted for, feared buried under rubble that emergency responders often cannot reach due to ongoing airstrikes and restricted access.

Despite mounting global condemnation, including calls from the United Nations Security Council for an immediate ceasefire and binding measures issued by the International Court of Justice to prevent genocide, Israel’s assault on Gaza shows no sign of slowing.

Human rights organizations and Palestinian officials have condemned the attacks as part of a deliberate campaign of collective punishment and the silencing of Palestinian voices — including journalists documenting the destruction.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, calls are growing louder for international intervention to halt the violence and ensure protection for civilians and press workers alike. (ILKHA)