Palestine: Israeli Airstrike Kills Journalist Salam Mema
The journalist found dead after days being trapped under rubble in northern Gaza
Location: Palestine, Gaza
Date: October 9, 2023*Updated: October 20, 2023
The bodies of journalist Salam Mema and her eldest son were pulled out from under the rubble on October 13, following an Israeli air strike on their home. The search effort to rescue her daughter continues. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is deeply saddened by the killing of journalist Salam Mema and her family members. This tragic incident highlights the severe toll the Israel-Gaza conflict has taken on journalists and their families. We call on all parties to immediate end hostilities and indiscriminate bombings of civilians and journalists in the Israeli-Gaza war.
On October 9, journalist Salam Mema — who served as the leader of the Women Journalists Committee within the Palestinian Media Assembly — and her family were trapped under rubble following an Israeli airstrike on their home in Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza. On October 13, it was confirmed by CFWIJ that both Mema and her eldest son have died. Mema's family has confirmed that her youngest son, Ali, was rescued and is safe. The rescue operation for her daughter is still ongoing.
Israeli airstrikes on Jabalia refugee camp caused significant destruction, including the flattening of mosques and a marketplace, resulting in the deaths of numerous civilians and entire families, according to witnesses and authorities in Gaza.
Salam Mema, her husband Muhammad al-Masry, and their three children, Hadi, Ali, and Sham.
The airstrikes were carried out in response to an attack on October 7, 2023, where Hamas gunmen crossed the Gaza border into Israel, killing civilians and soldiers and launching rockets towards the country.
Israel claims its strikes in Gaza are targeting Hamas infrastructure or fighters and that warnings were given before the attacks. Gazans argue that most strikes have been indiscriminate and without warnings, and the lack of bomb shelters and restricted movement due to the blockade makes it difficult for residents to seek safety. Israeli military officials declined to comment on whether warnings were still being given before strikes on homes and apartment buildings.
Since October 7, journalists have been caught in the crossfire, bearing witness to the devastating consequences of the ongoing violence. Within the first three days of fighting, at least six journalists were killed, two were reported missing, and two others were injured, according to CPJ. These numbers are a stark reflection of the risks journalists face daily while providing accurate information to the public.
Since Saturday’s attacks, Israeli officials have reported the killings of at least 1000 Israelis, with at least 2,800 injured, while Gaza's Health Ministry stated that 950 Palestinians have been killed, at least 5,000 injured, and over 250,000 people displaced following Israeli air strikes during the same period. The toll on both sides is devastating, and it is crucial to acknowledge the immense suffering endured by civilians caught in the crossfire.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism offers our deepest condolences to Salam Mema’s family and hope rescue efforts manage to successfully extract her young daughter. Our thoughts are with their loved ones. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by journalists and their families who simply fulfill their duty to inform the public.
We also express solidarity with journalists working in the region and emphasize the importance of press freedom in providing objective coverage during conflict. We call on all parties involved to recognize the vital role of journalists and ensure their safety and protection.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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