IDF gives no further comment to CNN questions on killed Al Jazeera journalists

CNN has asked the IDF for evidence of the allegations made against Al-Ghoul. In a series of questions sent to the IDF on Thursday, CNN noted that Ismail al-Ghoul had been arrested on March 18 in northern Gaza and then released 12 hours later and asked why he had been freed if he was a suspected operative of the Al Qassam Brigades — Hamas’ military wing.

CNN also asked whether the IDF regarded Al-Ghoul as actively engaged in combat and whether Al-Rifi was also a member of the wing.

The IDF said it had nothing to add to its statement.

Remember: Al-Ghoul and cameraman Al-Rifi, who lived in the besieged enclave, were killed in an airstrike on their car in the al Shati refugee camp, according to the Qatar-based network.

The journalists, both aged 27, were reporting live for much of the day from a location close to the family home of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in the Iranian capital of Tehran this week.

Mourners and colleagues holding 'press' signs as they gather around the body of Al-Jazeera Arabic journalist Ismail al-Ghoul, who was killed, along with cameraman Rami Al-Rifi, in an Israeli strike at Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza, on July 31.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says it is outraged by the killing of Al Jazeera journalists Ismail Al-Ghoul and Rami Al-Rifi in Gaza.

“We are appalled by this violent attack on two prominent Al Jazeera journalists – the latest incident in nearly 10 months of crimes against journalists in Gaza, where more than 120 journalists have now lost their lives,” RSF said.

“RSF urges the Israeli government to immediately commit to ending the violence against journalists that continues to be mercilessly committed by Israeli Defence Forces, constituting flagrant examples of war crimes,” said Rebecca Vincent, RSF’s Director of Campaigns.

RSF said that with the killing of Al-Ghoul and Al-Rifi, the number of Al Jazeera journalists killed in Gaza has risen to five, all targeted by direct strikes.

The Israeli military said Thursday that Al-Ghoul was a member of Hamas’ military wing and had participated in the attack on Israel on October 7.

-CNN