PARIS: France on Tuesday condemned “the heavy toll paid by local journalists” in Gaza and called on the Israeli authorities to guarantee “safe and unhindered access” for international media.
On Sunday, five Al Jazeera journalists were killed in an Israeli strike on their tent in Gaza City. Among the victims was Anas Al-Sharif, a prominent Al Jazeera correspondent aged 28.
A freelance reporter was also killed in the strike that targeted the Al Jazeera team.
Condemning the strike, the French foreign ministry said that the journalists were targeted while “carrying out their reporting duties.”
Israel confirmed it had targeted Sharif, whom it labelled a “terrorist” affiliated with Hamas, saying he “posed as a journalist.”
