Agence France-Presse (AFP) revealed on Friday that its Gaza City bureau had been significantly damaged by a strike on the building, as the Israeli military continues to target terror sites in the territory. However, Israel has denied its involvement in the incident.

AFP is currently the sole international news agency operating a live video feed from Gaza City, which has remained uninterrupted despite the damage caused to its office.

According to an AFP employee who visited the office, it appears that an explosive projectile entered the technician's office horizontally from east to west. Fortunately, none of the eight staff members usually based in Gaza City were present at the time of the strike. Earlier this month, the team had been safely evacuated to southern Gaza following an Israeli military order targeting residents in the north of the Hamas-run territory.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his concern for the safety of journalists in Gaza, emphasizing the need to protect them as they report on the ongoing conflict. He acknowledged the "extraordinary work" being carried out by journalists under perilous circumstances to convey the story to the world.

An Israeli military spokesman responded to the report, stating that they had thoroughly examined the claim and found no evidence of an IDF strike on the building. The spokesman further pointed out instances where rockets misfired from the Strip and caused damage within Palestinian territory, including one such incident near a hospital in October. Hamas had initially blamed Israel for the incident, but Israel later provided evidence showing that the explosion resulted from a rocket misfire.

Images published by AFP depicted a gaping hole in the wall of the 11-story building located in Gaza's Rimal neighborhood near the port.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this strike on our Gaza City bureau," stated Fabrice Fries, AFP Chairman and Chief Executive. He highlighted the potentially devastating consequences if the AFP team had not evacuated the city in time.

The damage to the AFP Gaza City bureau serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by journalists operating in conflict zones. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining safety measures to protect media personnel as they carry out their vital role of reporting from the front lines.

As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, it is crucial for news organizations like AFP to provide accurate and timely coverage. The resilience demonstrated by the journalists of AFP in Gaza serves as a testament to their dedication to delivering the news to a global audience, even in the face of adversity.