Israeli forces say they cannot guarantee the safety of journalists in the Gaza Strip – News

The Israeli army told international news organizations Reuters and Agence France-Presse that it cannot guarantee the safety of its journalists working in the occupied territories. Gaza stripThe area has been subjected to Israeli bombing and siege for nearly three weeks.

The Gaza Strip, a Hamas-run Palestinian enclave, has been under constant bombardment since October 7, when gunmen from the movement crossed the border and killed about 1,400 people in Israel. The Gaza Ministry of Health says that about 7,000 people were killed in the Israeli raids.

The Israeli military wrote to Reuters and Agence France-Presse this week after the two agencies asked for guarantees that their journalists in Gaza would not be targeted by Israeli attacks.

“The IDF targets all Hamas military activities in Gaza,” the Israeli forces’ message said, adding that Hamas deliberately carried out military operations “in close proximity to journalists and civilians.”

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The Israeli military also noted that its high-intensity strikes against Hamas targets could cause damage to surrounding buildings, and that Hamas rockets could also miss and kill people inside Gaza.

“Under these circumstances, we cannot guarantee the safety of your personnel and we strongly urge you to take all necessary measures for their safety,” the Israeli forces’ letter concluded.

Hamas did not immediately comment when asked about the Israeli army’s claim that it carried out military operations near where the journalists were located in Gaza.

Reuters was unable to verify how many other news organizations operating in Gaza received the same message from the Israeli military.