Palestinian journalist Ahmed Mansour has died from severe burns sustained in an Israeli airstrike that hit a media tent near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA. The tent was reportedly being used by journalists covering the conflict in the area.

Videos shared on social media showed the horrific moment Mansour, a reporter for the Palestine Today news agency, was engulfed in flames following the strike. Onlookers rushed to help, using whatever tools they had to put out the fire and save him, but his injuries were ultimately fatal.

The attack has resulted in the deaths of two journalists so far, including Mansour and Yousef Al-Faqawi, also of Palestine Today. At least eight others were injured. This strike has added to the already high toll of media workers killed since the beginning of the war in October 2023, bringing the reported total to over 170.

The Israeli military confirmed responsibility for the airstrike, stating that it was targeting journalist Hassan Elslayeh, who it claims is affiliated with Hamas and was involved in the October 7 attacks. Elslayeh was injured. In 2023, the pro-Israeli group HonestReporting had spotlighted a photo of Elslayeh being kissed by late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, which led to multiple international news outlets severing ties with him.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the strike, stating that it fits a pattern of attacks on the press. CPJ's Middle East and North Africa director, Sara Qudah, criticized Israel for previously targeting media tents and highlighted the lack of international accountability. The organization also called for immediate medical evacuation of the injured and an end to attacks on journalists.

Meanwhile, Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza on March 18, killing nearly 1,400 people and wounding over 3,400, breaking a temporary ceasefire. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with former US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss new hostage negotiations. During the meeting, Trump reiterated his controversial proposal for the US to take control of Gaza, calling it "a great piece of real estate." Since the war began, over 50,700 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have reportedly been killed.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596311/media