Three journalists among 11 killed by Israel in Gaza bombing
KIlled journalists Mohammad Qeshta, Abdul Ra’ouf Shaath and Anas Ghunaim
Hani Abu Rezeq reports in Middle East Eye on 21 January 2026:
Israeli strikes killed at least 11 Palestinians on Wednesday, including three journalists working for the Egyptian relief committee.
The journalists were identified as Mohammad Salah Qishta, Abdul Raouf Samir Shaat and Anas Ghanem. They were killed when their vehicle was struck while they were filming at a camp for displaced people run by the Egyptian committee in central Gaza.
“They were on a humanitarian mission. Everyone knew the vehicle and that those inside worked for the committee,” a spokesperson for the committee in Gaza told Middle East Eye. “We were shocked when it was directly targeted,” he added. “We have no words. To see colleagues who always rushed to help others killed like this is devastating.”
A source at the Egyptian committee in Gaza said the targeting of its staff marked a dangerous precedent. Speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the source said the attack raised serious concerns about the safety of humanitarian workers and aid operations in the Gaza Strip.
Israel claims strike
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, claiming it targeted suspects allegedly operating a drone affiliated with Hamas.
Earlier, five people, including two children and a woman, were killed by Israeli artillery fire and gunfire in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, according to local media.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said Israel has escalated attacks and violations in Gaza since the announcement that the ceasefire agreement had entered its second phase. In a video statement, Qassem said the escalation was aimed at undermining ceasefire efforts and sabotaging mediation led by the United States and a new administrative committee set to take over from Hamas.
He called on mediators to intervene “seriously and effectively” to compel Israel to halt breaches of the ceasefire.
Since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, Israel has repeatedly violated the agreement, carrying out hundreds of air strikes, arresting civilians, demolishing homes and restricting aid.
Gaza’s Government Media Office said it recorded 1,300 Israeli violations in the first 100 days of the ceasefire.
The October agreement was intended to end two years of Israeli genocide in Gaza, in which more than 71,000 Palestinians were killed and over 170,000 wounded.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health says at least 450 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire was signed.
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