In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the journalism community, Samer Abu Daqqa, a cameraman for Al Jazeera, lost his life in Gaza during an Israeli airstrike. The Israeli authorities faced criticism as emergency teams were denied permission to access Abu Daqqa for several hours after the attack, leading to his death.

Despite urgent pleas and messages from fellow journalists, ambulances were not cleared to reach Abu Daqqa until hours after he was wounded. Journalists within the group chat highlighted the need for the Israeli military to facilitate a rescue effort, emphasising that time was running out to save the cameraman.

While a smaller group of more senior members from the Foreign Press Association (FPA) engaged directly with the Israeli army, their efforts yielded no real action. Despite being informed of the situation and having oversight of Gaza, the Israeli military cited problems with passage from the school to the hospital, despite their own responsibility for the damage caused by earlier airstrikes.

As the hours ticked by, the frustration became more palpable. Finally, after five long hours of waiting and bleeding, ambulances were able to reach the school. However, they found Abu Daqqa already dead. Palestinian emergency crews, aided by a Palestinian-operated bulldozer, had cleared a path for the ambulance, but it was too late to save him.

Al Jazeera reported that Abu Daqqa had been subjected to continued shelling as he attempted to crawl to safety. Reports also indicated that he was found without his flak jacket, several meters away from the initial point of injury.

The Foreign Press Association (FPA) expressed deep concern over the Israeli military's handling of the incident, urging for an immediate inquiry into the attack and an explanation for the failure to evacuate Abu Daqqa in time to receive medical treatment.

In response to the tragedy, Al Jazeera announced its intention to submit a legal file to the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the "assassination" of Abu Daqqa. The media network's statement also highlighted ongoing attacks on its crews operating in occupied Palestinian territories. The FPA included Abu Daqqa in a war crimes complaint filed with the ICC, along with seven other Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza between October 22 and December 15.

This tragic incident further underscores the dangerous environment journalists face in Gaza. The Palestinian Journalist Syndicate has documented the killing of over 100 journalists within just three months. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that more journalists have been killed in the first 10 weeks of Israel's war on Gaza, predominantly Palestinians, than in any other country in a single year. Many journalists in Gaza have not only lost their colleagues but also multiple family members and their own homes.

Wael al-Dahdouh, an Al Jazeera correspondent who was injured in the same Israeli attack that killed Abu Daqqa, has become a symbol of the resilience of Palestinian journalists in Gaza. Having lost his wife, son, daughter, and grandson in an earlier airstrike, al-Dahdouh has remained steadfast in his commitment to reporting the truth despite the personal tragedies he has suffered. He called for accountability, stating that it is crucial to hold the perpetrators of such attacks responsible to prevent further targeting and attacks on Palestinian journalists.

As the international community reacts to this heartbreaking loss, questions remain about the safety of journalists in conflict zones and the need for greater protection and accountability. The plight of journalists in Gaza serves as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of truth and the importance of preserving press freedom even in the most precarious circumstances.