Mohamed Meshmesh, the 40-year-old Palestinian director of programs at the Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa Voice Radio, was killed, along with his son, on July 16, 2024, when Israeli warplanes bombed a United Nations Palestinian relief agency (UNRWA) school in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, which was housing displaced people, according to the Beirut-based press freedom group SKeyes and news reports.
“In early June 2024, Israeli warplanes bombed Mohamed’s family home in the Nuseirat camp, killing about 30 people from the family, including Mohamed’s parents,” Khaled Meshmesh, Mohamed’s uncle, told CPJ.
“Mohamed and his family were displaced to a school designated for displaced people in the camp … At around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, Israeli warplanes bombed the school, killing Mohamed and his son,” Khaled Meshmesh said.
Meshmesh’s colleague and friend of 17 years, Khalil Abu Shaaban, told CPJ that dozens were killed in the UNRWA school bombing.
"Mohamed was distinguished by his good and friendly relations with everyone. He listened to everyone and expressed his opinion with boldness and objectivity. He was a true voice defending our cause and our people, confronting Israeli propaganda, and working to raise awareness among our people, Abu Shaaban said.
Meshmesh’s leg had previously been injured by shrapnel from a missile fired by an Israeli warplane near Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital on October 18, 2023, Abu Shaaban said.
Meshmesh had three daughters in addition to his son Al-Baraa who was killed with him, Khaled Meshmesh and Abu Shaaban said.
CPJ’s email to the Israel Defense Forces’ North America Media Desk asking whether the military knew there was a journalist in the area it attacked and whether Meshmesh was targeted for his work did not immediately receive a response.