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Israel Attempts to Silence the Media by Bombing Gaza Tower Housing AP and Al Jazeera Offices

Vberni Regalado
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“The world will know less about what’s happening in Gaza because of what happened today.” 

This was what Associated Press’ President and CEO Gary Pruitt said after Israel destroyed a 11-storey tower block in Gaza, housing their organization’s offices as well as other news media on Saturday, saying the building was also used by the Islamist militant group Hamas. 

The al-Jalaa building in Gaza City, which also houses the offices of Qatar-based Al Jazeera, had been evacuated after the owner received advanced warning of the strike. 

AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt said that the strike is “an incredibly disturbing development.” He said a dozen AP journalists and freelancers were in the building and were evacuated in time.

“We are shocked and horrified that the Israeli military would target and destroy the building housing AP’s bureau and other news organizations in Gaza,” Pruitt added. 

Acting director general of Al Jazeera Media Network, Dr Mostefa Souag, called the strike “barbaric” and said Israel should be held accountable.

“The aim of this heinous crime is to silence the media and to hide the untold carnage and suffering of the people of Gaza,” his statement read. 

Press freedom advocates were quick to condemn the bombing of the Gaza building and called it a brazen attempt to ‘silence’ journalists covering the Israeli military’s ongoing offensive that has killed and wounded hundreds of people.

“The attack on the building that we have seen is a shocking and, it seems to me, catastrophic attempt to shut down media, to silence criticism, and worst of all, to create a cloak of secrecy around this conflict,” said Aidan White, founder of the Ethical Journalism Network, a network of global journalists and press rights groups.

The bombing came after Israel’s plan to forcibly displace Palestinian families from East Jerusalem and its attacks on Palestinian worshippers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound invited widespread protest and demonstrations in Jerusalem and around the world. 

At least 140 Palestinians, including 39 children, have been killed in the Gaza strip since Monday. About 950 others have been wounded, according to Al Jazeera. 

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