Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill Three Journalists and Others: One of the Deadliest Days Since Ceasefire
January 22, 2026 — In a stark reminder that the fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza remains tenuous, Israeli forces carried out strikes on January 21, 2026, that killed at least 11 Palestinians, including three journalists, two children, and a woman, according to Gaza health officials and local medics. The incidents, occurring across central and southern Gaza, marked one of the enclave’s deadliest days since the ceasefire took effect in October 2025, underscoring ongoing violence despite diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.
The attacks drew swift condemnation from press freedom organizations, humanitarian groups, and Palestinian authorities, who described the targeting of journalists as a grave violation of international law. Israel’s military defended the operations, claiming one strike targeted individuals operating a drone it believed posed a threat to troops and was affiliated with Hamas.
The Fatal Strike on Journalists
The most prominent incident involved an Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in the Al-Zahra area, southwest of Gaza City, near the Netzarim Corridor. The vehicle carried three Palestinian journalists—Mohammed Salah Qeshta (also reported as Mohammad Qashta or Qishta), Abdul Raouf Shaat (or Abd Shaat), and Anas Ghneim (or Ghunaim)—who were documenting conditions in a newly established displacement camp managed by an Egyptian government humanitarian committee.
According to Mohammed Mansour, spokesperson for the Egyptian Relief Committee, the journalists were on assignment filming aid distribution and the suffering of civilians in the camp when their car was hit. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned the killings, stating the men were on a “humanitarian, journalistic mission to film and document the suffering of civilians in displacement camps.”
One of the deceased, Abdul Raouf Shaat, was a freelance contributor to Agence France-Presse (AFP), though not on assignment for the agency at the time. AFP issued a statement mourning his loss as a “kind-hearted colleague, with a gentle sense of humor, and as a deeply committed journalist.” The other two were identified by colleagues and the syndicate as experienced local reporters covering the humanitarian crisis.
The Israeli military stated that its forces identified “suspects” operating a drone “affiliated with Hamas” that posed a threat to troops. After tracking the individuals, the IDF conducted a “precise strike.” The military added that the incident was under examination but provided no further details on the journalists’ identities or the drone’s alleged use.
Other Deadly Incidents
Separate attacks added to the day’s toll:
- In the Bureij refugee camp, Israeli drones struck a group, killing a 13-year-old boy, his father, and a 22-year-old man, according to officials at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah.
- Additional strikes in southern Gaza, including east of Khan Younis, killed a woman and others, with reports of gunfire and artillery fire contributing to the casualties.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health and civil defense agencies reported at least 11 total deaths and several injuries from the day’s operations. Funerals were held at hospitals including Shifa and Al-Aqsa Martyrs, with mourners carrying the bodies of the journalists amid widespread grief.
Broader Context: Ceasefire Under Strain
The killings occurred against the backdrop of a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. in October 2025, which has held unevenly. Gaza health authorities report more than 470 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the truce began, with cumulative war deaths exceeding 71,000 (though figures vary by source and include pre-ceasefire tolls).
The violence coincides with high-level diplomatic activity in Davos, where President Trump led the signing of the “Board of Peace” charter aimed at Gaza reconstruction and global conflict resolution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated, but ongoing strikes highlight challenges to any postwar stabilization.
Press freedom groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders, have long documented the Gaza war as the deadliest conflict for journalists in modern history, with hundreds killed since October 2023—overwhelmingly Palestinian media workers. The latest deaths add to calls for investigations into attacks on press personnel.
Reactions and Implications
- Palestinian and International Outrage — The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate and civil society groups accused Israel of deliberately targeting media workers to suppress coverage of humanitarian conditions. International media outlets expressed condolences and demanded accountability.
- Israeli Position — The IDF emphasized operational necessity against perceived threats but acknowledged ongoing reviews of incidents.
- Humanitarian Impact — The strikes disrupted aid monitoring in displacement areas, complicating efforts by Egyptian and other committees to address civilian suffering amid widespread displacement.
As Gaza grapples with reconstruction talks and fragile peace efforts, these events serve as a grim reminder that violence persists, eroding trust and complicating diplomatic paths forward. The loss of journalists not only silences voices documenting the crisis but raises urgent questions about press safety in conflict zones.
