Keir Starmer urged to back investigation into killing of journalists in Gaza

UK's National Union of Journalists presented letter to Prime Minister at Downing Street before holding vigil

From left, journalists Mariam Dagga, Moaz Abu Taha, Ahmed Abu Aziz, Mohammad Salama and Hussam Al Masri, who were killed in Israeli strikes on Al Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza. Reuters

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been urged to support an investigation into the killing of journalists in Gaza by Israeli forces.

The UK’s National Union of Journalists (NUJ) presented a letter to the Prime Minister at Downing Street on Wednesday, after which a vigil was held for the journalists killed during Israel's war on the enclave. The names of the dead were read out at the event.

Five journalists were among at least 22 people killed this week in a double Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza. The journalists were Hussam Al Masri, a photographer with Reuters; Mohammad Salama, a cameraman for Al Jazeera TV channel; Mariam Dagga, a freelancer with AP; Ahmed Abu Aziz, who worked for Quds Feed; and Moaz Abu Taha.

Journalist Mariam Dagga and her son Gaith. Photo: Mariam Dagga

The letter asks Mr Starmer to clarify what action the government will take to support an investigation by the International Criminal Court into what the union calls the “blatant targeting of journalists and media workers by Israeli forces”. The letter also asks the Prime Minister what the UK plans to do to ensure Palestinian journalists in Gaza are able to continue reporting.

The letter is signed by Pennie Quinton, who leads the NUJ London Freelance Branch, and is co-signed by heads of other branches of the union in the city.

The vigil was due to hear from journalist Wael Dahdouh and Ahmed Alnaouq, co-founder of We Are Not Numbers, a Palestinian writers’ rights organisation. The Committee to Protect Journalists said more than 180 journalists have been killed since the Gaza war started on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office said it “deeply regrets” the strike, which it described as a “tragic mishap”.

“Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff and all civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation,” it said. The Israeli army claimed troops were trying to "remove a threat" by "striking and dismantling" a camera used to spy on soldiers.

The attack has been described as a "double tap", a military tactic designed to maximise casualties by firing on those who respond to an initial attack.

A vigil for journalists killed in Gaza is held outside Downing Street in London. AFP

Israel acknowledged killing six journalists in a strike on a tent near Gaza city earlier this month. Five of them belonged to an Al Jazeera crew.

Ms Dagga’s son, who lives the UAE with his father after leaving the enclave in the early months of the war to receive treatment for an injury to his hand, said she was not only his mother but “my whole life”.

“She always hoped to see me grow into a well-presented young man,” he told The National. “She would buy me the best clothes and treat me like a young man. She always said, ‘You are my only support in life, you are my everything.’ There is nothing in this world that can ever replace mama, her tenderness, her care, or her constant concern for me in every part of my life.”

The Reporters Without Borders group has called for a global front page blackout to denounce the killing of journalists in Gaza and the media restrictions enforced by Israel. Media outlets have been urged to publish a symbolic black front page, or carry out other forms of visual and editorial participation in the campaign.