Al Jazeera has vehemently rejected the Israeli military's assertion that their correspondent, Ismail al-Ghoul, killed in an airstrike in Gaza this week, was a Hamas operative involved in the October 7 attacks. The distressing video circulating on social media showed Ismail al-Ghoul's decapitated body after he was targeted in his car in Gaza City on Wednesday. Two others, his cameraman Rami al-Rifi and a passing boy named Khalid Shawa, also lost their lives in the attack.

While other high-profile assassinations have been dominating regional news, the killing of this locally renowned journalist has struck a chord with many Palestinians. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) labeled Ismail al-Ghoul as a "Hamas military wing operative and Nukhba terrorist" in their statement, suggesting his involvement in an elite unit within the armed group. They further alleged that he played a role in instructing operatives on recording operations and promoting attacks against IDF troops. Surprisingly, the IDF did not mention Rami al-Rifi in their statement.

Al Jazeera fired back, dismissing the accusation against their staff member as baseless. They accused Israel of a long history of fabrications and false evidence to conceal their alleged crimes. Ismail's brother, Jihad, supported Al Jazeera's claims, stating that his late sibling was purely a civilian who was dedicated to portraying the suffering of the Palestinian people inside Gaza City to the outside world.

Working out of Gaza City, Ismail al-Ghoul had become a familiar face on Al Jazeera, a popular news source in the region that has faced criticism from Israeli authorities. Palestinians paid tribute to the slain journalists during Friday prayers, with Maha Sarsak, a displaced individual, expressing her sorrow over Ismail al-Ghoul's death. She mentioned how she relied on his social media updates to stay informed about events in the north, when access to television was limited.

Journalists in Gaza gathered to honor the memory of Ismail al-Ghoul and Rami al-Rifi, laying down their flak jackets as a mark of respect. Ismail al-Ghoul had previously covered Israel's raid of Shifa Hospital and was briefly detained by the IDF at the site. Al Jazeera cited this incident as evidence that their correspondent had no affiliation with any organization.

The targeted attack on Al Jazeera's journalists occurred near the destroyed home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Shati Camp, an urban refugee camp. Throughout the war, Israel had restricted entry to international journalists in the Palestinian territory, and Egypt also prevented reporters from entering prior to the closure of the Rafah border crossing with Gaza.

In recent months, Al Jazeera has seen multiple attacks against its staff in Gaza and their families. Several incidents, including the death of Wael Dahdouh's wife, daughter, son, and grandchild, and the injury of Dahdouh himself, have raised concerns about the systematic targeting of their employees. Al Jazeera has strongly denied these claims, while also condemning Israel's decision to ban their broadcast within the country on grounds of national security.

The United Nations has called for a comprehensive investigation into the killings of Al Jazeera journalists and others, emphasizing the need for protection of journalists worldwide. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the deaths in Gaza bring the total number of journalists killed to 113, including 108 Palestinians, three Lebanese, and two Israelis who lost their lives during the October 7 assault.