In a tragic incident during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa was killed in an Israeli drone strike on Friday. As Wael al-Dahdouh, Al Jazeera bureau chief in Gaza, was being treated for shrapnel wounds after the attack, he desperately urged doctors to reach his trapped colleague.

Abu Daqqa, 45, had accompanied Dahdouh to cover the bombing of Farhana school in Khan Younis, which had been providing refuge to displaced Palestinians. However, upon their arrival, they were hit by a drone strike, leaving Dahdouh injured but able to escape while Abu Daqqa remained trapped and attempted to crawl to safety.

Despite efforts by ambulances to reach the area, their route was hindered by rubble, and paramedics were unable to reach Abu Daqqa due to the ongoing bombing. According to Al Jazeera, three civil defense workers lost their lives in the process of trying to rescue him over a span of five hours.

Abu Daqqa continued to bleed for several hours until the Civil Defense crew discovered him lifeless. A father of four and a resident of Khan Younis, he had dedicatedly covered stories in his own community. The death of Abu Daqqa marks the first loss of an Al Jazeera journalist in the war.

This devastating incident highlights the toll the conflict has taken on journalists in Gaza. Since the beginning of Israel's assault on Hamas in October, 56 journalists have been killed, with 13 of them losing their lives while working and the rest killed in their homes or during their daily lives, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Al Jazeera has strongly condemned the targeted attacks on its journalists and their families, holding Israel accountable for what they perceive as systematic and deliberate killings. They are urging the international community to take action and ensure Israel is held responsible for its actions.

The Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem expressed deep concern over the incident, stating that Abu Daqqa was their first member to be killed during the war. They have called for a thorough investigation and explanation from the Israeli military, as they had repeatedly requested assistance in clearing the road for an ambulance to reach Abu Daqqa.

Accusations of war crimes have been leveled against Israel, with allegations that journalists, marked as press, and their surroundings are intentionally targeted.

The death of Samer Abu Daqqa has struck a blow to the already limited freedom of the press in Gaza. Colleagues and friends remember him as a veteran cameraman who always managed to bring a smile to everyone's face. Abu Daqqa had urged his family to find safety outside of Gaza, emphasizing the dangers faced by journalists reporting from the war-torn region.

This incident serves as a grim reminder of the risks undertaken by journalists who often become the "news" instead of reporting it. As the conflict in Gaza continues, the use of unguided bombs by Israel has contributed to a significant civilian death toll, according to a recent U.S. intelligence assessment.

The release of the remaining hostages held in the Gaza Strip has been a positive development amid the ongoing conflict. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, deeply rooted in history, continues to fuel tensions and violence in the region.

Despite the dangers faced by journalists, their unwavering commitment to shedding light on the events unfolding in Gaza serves as a reminder of the crucial role they play in documenting and sharing the realities of war.