The Foreign Press Association strongly condemns the killing of three Palestinian journalists in central Gaza on Wednesday. Once again, journalists were killed by Israeli military strikes while carrying out their professional duties. Abdul Raouf Shaat, a regular contributor to Agence France-Presse (AFP), was killed alongside Anas Ghneim and Mohammed Salah Qashta.

The Israeli army *claimed without evidence* that it targeted drone operators allegedly affiliated with Hamas, and that the incident is under review. The FPA joins AFP in calling for a full, *fast* and transparent investigation and urges Israel to halt the targeting of journalists. Too many journalists in Gaza have been killed without justification, while Israel continues to deny international media independent access to the territory.

We stand with journalists in Gaza working under extreme and dangerous conditions. According to Reporters Without Borders, nearly 220 journalists have been killed since the war began in October 2023. We mourn all journalists lost in this conflict and renew our call for free and independent media access to Gaza.
 

Statement attributed to the board of The Foreign Press Association