In a tragic incident, Al Jazeera Arabic journalist Samer Abudaqa has lost his life and his colleague Wael Dahdouh has been injured in an Israeli attack in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The journalists were reporting at Farhana school when they were hit by an Israeli strike on Friday.

The intense Israeli bombardment in the area made it difficult for rescue teams to immediately reach Abudaqa and others at the site. The attack took place as many Palestinians from the central and northern parts of Gaza sought shelter in Khan Younis due to the ongoing war that began in October. However, Israel's intensified military operations in Khan Younis have now pushed these displaced people further south towards Rafah, the southernmost city in the strip.

This attack comes amidst violent clashes between Palestinian fighters and the Israeli army across several locations in Gaza. Reuters news service reported fighting in Shujayea, Sheikh Radwan, Zeitoun, Tuffah, Beit Hanoon, north Gaza, east of Maghazi in central Gaza, and in the center and northern fringes of Khan Younis.

For Wael Dahdouh, this tragic incident is not his first encounter with loss due to Israeli airstrikes. In late October, Dahdouh lost four members of his family when their home in Nuseirat camp was bombed by Israeli forces. His wife Um Hamza, his 15-year-old son Mahmoud, his seven-year-old daughter Sham, and his grandson Adam, who died in hospital hours later, all fell victim to the attack.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed shock at the attack and condemned it, emphasizing the need to protect journalists' lives. The IFJ's recent report revealed that 72 percent of journalists who died on duty this year were killed in the Gaza war, highlighting the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones.

Samer Abudaqa and Wael Dahdouh had been working for Al Jazeera Arabic even before the war began. The pair was known for their professionalism and strength in documenting the harsh realities faced by the Palestinian people. Hani Mahmoud, a colleague, praised their dedication and commitment to bringing the truth to light.

Jodie Ginsberg, president of the Committee to Protect Journalists, expressed concern over the international community's lack of support for Palestinian journalists in Gaza. With other institutions leaving the region, the role of journalists becomes crucial in documenting the impact of the conflict. Ginsberg highlighted the sense of abandonment felt by the journalist community in Palestine and the region due to the failure of international governments to push for an end to the conflict.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks journalists face while reporting from conflict zones and the urgent need to ensure their safety. As families mourn the loss of Samer Abudaqa and continue to support the recovery of Wael Dahdouh, the international community must work towards a resolution that prioritizes the protection of innocent lives and the freedom of the press in such volatile environments.