IFJ Strongly Condemns Killing of Palestinian Media Worker Hamid Shihab

July 11, 2014

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly condemned the killing of Palestinian media worker Hamid Shibab in Gaza last night, Wednesday 9 July.

According to IFJ affiliate, the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS), Shihab, who worked as a driver for Media 24 agency, was killed by an Israeli rocket that hit his car when he was driving in the Gaza Strip area.

“We join our affiliate, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) in condemning the appalling killing of Hamid Shihab and we send our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. “We demand that Israeli authorities carry out a thorough investigation into this attack to ensure that justice prevails.”

The PJS has denounced the “heinous” attack, stating that it will continue to fight for the rights and freedoms of all Palestinian journalists and media workers. The union has called for international condemnation of the Israeli action and has demanded that the Israeli forces who carried out the attack answer for their crime.

The IFJ has advised journalists covering events in the region to read its Safety Handbook specifically designed for journalists working in the Arab World and Middle East. The regionally customised Front Line Journalism Handbook provides invaluable practical safety advice and information.

“The situation for journalists covering the fighting between Israel and Hamas has become increasingly precarious,” continued Boumelha. “We call on media companies to protect the safety of their journalists in the region and not to put them in potentially dangerous situations, and we urge all local and international journalists covering events to take every practical precaution and stay safe. No story is worth the loss of a life.”

For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 17

For more information contact:
International Federation of Journalists
Phone: 32-2-235 22 08
Website: www.ifj.org