Palestinian journalist Mumin Fayez Qureki, who lost both legs in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip in 2008, said, “Israel targets us journalists in most of the wars it launches so that no message can be sent to the world from here.”
Kureiki, who works as a journalist in the Gaza Strip, told AA about the difficulties he experienced in his profession and being targeted in Israel’s attacks on the region.
“I am a journalist in Gaza. I have been doing this job for more than 18 years. During this time, I was injured three times and lost my legs in one of my injuries. I lost both of my legs in the attack by the occupying Israel in 2008, when I was directly targeted,” Kureiki said.
Noting that he continues to work as a journalist and cameraman despite the Israeli attacks directly targeting his colleagues in the Gaza Strip, Qureki said that his workplace was hit several times and he lost his workplace due to the attacks carried out by Israel, and that he and his home were also attacked several times.
Quraiqi said the following about the difficulties of journalism in Gaza:
“We, the journalists working in the Gaza Strip, where the hottest developments in the world are taking place, are directly targeted and assassinated. The reason for this is that occupying Israel does not want any images or stories about what is happening here to be transferred outside the region.
“In most of the wars it wages, Israel targets us journalists and organizes assassinations so that no message can be sent to the world. Despite all this, I will continue to do my job as I do now.”
After rescuing children from the attack, his car was also hit by Israel
Kureyki, who stated that he saved two children in the Sheikh Ridvan Neighborhood of Gaza City during the attacks, said that he also published a video about the incident.
Kureyki stated that the video included images of a house being bombed in the Şeyh Rıdvan Neighborhood.
Kureyki stated that he was with two other colleagues at the time of the incident, that there was no vehicle at the scene and that the injured were trying to get out of the debris of the collapsed house.
“I also saved the two children and took them to the hospital. Aerial bombardment against civilians in Gaza was continuing, and my car was hit on the way to the hospital,” Kureiki said.
Moments when humanity takes precedence over profession
Qurayki said that they wanted to give a message as journalists and said:
“As a result, while we are trying to convey people’s stories, their suffering and the genocidal crimes committed by the occupying Israel against Palestinian civilians through our work, not only our lives but also our vehicles and equipment are being targeted.”
Regarding the moments when he tried to save two children during the Israeli attack, Kureyki stated that he believed in the principle that “whoever saves one life, it is as if he has saved the lives of all humanity” and that he wanted to show that journalism is a humanitarian profession that includes saving people’s lives.
The Palestinian journalist emphasized that when they have the opportunity to save people’s lives, they put aside their equipment and professions and focus on saving people.
Saying that the children he saved were the same age as his own, Kureyki said, “When I saw the two children, I thought of my own children and my conscience did not allow me to leave them there. I stopped filming at that moment because saving them in that place where there was no one to help was more important than the message I could convey.”
Kureyki stated that he then continued his career where he left off, taking and publishing footage of himself on the road and afterwards.
The Palestinian journalist noted that with this video he wanted to convey the message that “human lives must be saved and the war must stop.”
Gaza’s Qurayki added:
“The occupying Israel is targeting and killing us, but we will continue to convey our humanitarian message and the suffering of the people in the Gaza Strip.”
In a written statement from the government’s Media Office in Gaza, it was stated that 168 journalists have been killed in the Gaza Strip, which is under attack by the Israeli army since October 7, 2023.
In Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip over the last 10 months, 39,897 Palestinians, including at least 16,314 children and 10,980 women, have been killed and 92,152 people have been injured.
While it is reported that there are still thousands of dead under the rubble, civilian infrastructure is also being destroyed by targeting hospitals and educational institutions where people take shelter.
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2024-08-16 03:39:26