GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP – A Gaza journalist with ties to Al Jazeera was tragically killed during a rescue operation by Israeli commandos on Saturday. Abdallah Aljamal, also known for his work as a spokesman for the Hamas-run labor ministry, was reportedly holding hostages in his home when Israeli special forces stormed the residence.
The Israeli military confirmed that Aljamal was keeping three hostages – Almog Meir Jan, Andri Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv – inside his family home during the rescue operation. Aljamal’s death was initially reported by Rami Abdu, the head of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, who claimed that Israeli Defense Forces soldiers raided the journalist’s home and fatally shot him and members of his family.
Prior to his death, Aljamal had contributed to Al Jazeera and Palestine Chronicle, where he covered stories on the conflict in Gaza. The Hamas-run labor ministry, for which he worked as a spokesman, stated that he was never an employee of the ministry.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields, referencing the hostage situation at Aljamal’s home as an example. The IDF’s statement following the rescue operation did not mention the fate of Aljamal’s family members.
The Palestine Chronicle, a non-profit organization based in Washington State, confirmed Aljamal’s role as a contributor reporting on events in Gaza but made no mention of his involvement in the hostage situation. The outlet describes its team as consisting of professional journalists and writers without a political agenda.
In addition to the three hostages rescued during the operation, Israeli forces also saved Noa Argamani, a 26-year-old Israeli woman who was a victim of a previous terrorist attack. The incident took place near a refugee camp in Nuseirat, where Aljamal resided, and where Israeli intelligence had located the hostages held by the journalist.
The circumstances surrounding Aljamal’s death and his involvement in the hostage situation have raised questions about the protection of journalists in conflict zones and the complexities of reporting within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite the tragic outcome of the rescue operation, the incident sheds light on the dangers faced by journalists working in volatile regions like Gaza.