Al Jazeera Journalists Wael Dahdouh, Samer Abu Daqqa Attacked In Israeli Strikes

Gaza: Wael Dahdouh and Samer Abu Daqqa, journalists from Qatar-based newscaster Al Jazeera that has been engaged in intensive coverage of the ongoing bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza by Israeli occupation forces, were wounded on Friday by an Israeli missile fired from a drone in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, their colleagues said.

Among the two journalists, Wael Dahdouh, the Gaza bureau chief of Al Jazeera, has been considered as the face of Al-Jazeera Arabic’ Gaza coverage and he was in news when an airstrike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in October last week killed several families including the family of Wael Dahdouh. It was reported that he lost his wife, son and grandson in the Israel air raid.

“Wael Dahdouh and his cameraperson Samer Abudaqa have been wounded in Khan Younis after what is believed to have been an Israeli drone attack. Dahdouh was wounded by shrapnel on his upper arm; he has been transferred to Nasser Hospital and his injuries are considered minor. Abudaqa also suffered injuries sustained by shrapnel; he is still near Farhana school as paramedics are unable to reach the location because of Israeli shelling,” Al Jazeera said in a report.

Responding to the attacks, the media office of Gaza”s government has characterized the targeting of Wael Dahdouh and Samer Abudaqa in Khan Younis as part of a broader effort to intimidate journalists.

Describing it as a “failed attempt to obscure the truth and hinder their unfiltered media coverage of the occupation”s crimes against children, women, and civilians,” the statement posted on Telegram underscores the government”s assertion that such actions aim to suppress honest reporting.