At least five Palestinian journalists were injured on May 4, 2018, covering protests in the Gaza Strip, as the Israel Defense Forces used tear gas and fired live rounds to disperse demonstrators, according to news reports, social media posts by local journalists, and two local reporters — Moneeb Saada and Saud Abu Ramadan — with whom CPJ spoke.
For the sixth consecutive week, thousands of Palestinians joined protests over Israel’s refusal to allow Palestinian refugees to return to their pre-1948 homes, news reports said.
The following journalists were injured on May 4, 2018:
- Sami Musram, a cameraperson for the Hamas-affiliated al-Aqsa TV, was injured by a rubber bullet that grazed his left shoulder while he was covering protests east of al-Bureij, according to news reports, pictures shared on social media, and local journalists Hussein Abu Khreis and Ramadan. Musram received treatment at an on-site ambulance, according to the news reports.
- Hamza al-Shami, a freelance photographer, was hit by a gas canister in the shoulder and then inhaled tear gas causing him to faint while covering the protests east of Khan Younis, according to news reports, footage posted on social media, and al-Shami. The journalist received on-site treatment for his injuries, according to the news reports.
- Suleiman abu Zarifa, a freelance photographer, was hit by a gas canister in his foot while covering the protests east of Khan Younis, according to news reports and local journalist Saada. The journalist received on-site treatment for his injuries, according to the news reports.
- Mohammed abu Qadoos, a cameraperson for the Hamas-affiliated local news agency Siraj Media Network, was hit in the head by a gas canister while covering protests east of Gaza City, according to his employer, news reports, and local journalist Saud Abu Ramadan. Qadoos was taken to a local hospital where he received treatment for his injuries, according to the news reports.
- Abd al-Rahim al-Khatib, a freelance photographer, inhaled tear gas while covering the protests east of Khan Younis, according to news reports and Saada. The journalist received on-site treatment for his injuries, according to the news reports.
The Israel Defense Forces did not reply to CPJ’s emailed request for comment.
Since the protests began on March 30, 2018, CPJ has documented at least 14 journalists hit by live rounds fired by Israel Defense Forces two of whom– Yaser Murtaja and Ahmed Abu Hussein–later died from their injuries.