New York, March 2, 2004—Unidentified gunmen shot and killed journalist Khalil Al-Zabin today in the early morning hours while he exited his office in Gaza City.

According to local sources, Al-Zabin was the editor of the small-circulation magazine Al-Nashra, which published on an irregular schedule. In addition to his responsibilities as editor, Al-Zabin was a close adviser to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and ran a human rights organization closely linked with the Palestinian Authority. Sources also said that he was a senior figure in Fatah, the political organization headed by Arafat.

CPJ continues to monitor the case.