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Israeli military says Al Jazeera cameraman killed in Gaza was Hamas sniper
The Israeli Defense Forces stated that an Al Jazeera cameraman killed in an airstrike was a Hamas sniper operative. Al Jazeera rejected the allegation as baseless and said it would pursue legal action.
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The Israeli Defense Forces said an Al Jazeera cameraman killed in an airstrike in Gaza on Saturday was a Hamas sniper operative. The military accused Ahmed Wishah of serving in Hamas' military wing and advancing sniper attack plans in recent months.
It also stated that Wishah worked alongside his brother, who was described as a key figure in Hamas' rocket and weapons production and was killed in April.
Evidence presented The IDF released videos and photographs that it said showed Wishah with automatic weapons and sniper rifles, along with what it described as his Hamas military ID. The military did not provide additional details about the images.
Jazeera called the allegation baseless and condemned the strike, which it said also killed five others. The outlet said it would take every available legal measure against those responsible and described the accusation as part of a smear campaign.
Political context A mayor referenced the cameraman's death while criticizing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The mayor stated that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military since a ceasefire and specifically mentioned the Saturday strike.
More than 260 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, and Israel since October 7, 2023, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
