Israeli forces deliberately target media

Palestinian journalists across the Gaza Strip, who work for different Palestinian, Arab and international news agencies, are reporting that Israeli troops have deliberately targeted media while covering clashes between young Palestinian men and Israeli forces near the border fence between the coastal enclave and Israel.

Palestine TV reporter Sali al-Sakni told Ma’an on Sunday her and her crew had deliberately stayed away from the center of clashes near al-Bureij refugee camp, but that they were still showered with tear gas while covering the clashes.

She added that dozens of other reporters and photojournalists “wearing helmets and flak-jackets with 'PRESS’ marked clearly,” were also attacked with tear gas in the area.

Al-Sakni said three tear gas canisters were fired directly at her crew.

Similarly, cameraman of Palestine Today news agency Dawood Abu al-Kas was hit with a rubber-coated bullet in the foot while covering clashes near the bordes opposite to the Israeli Kibbutz of Nahal Oz in the northeast Gaza Strip.

"I was trying to capture photos while standing near an ambulance more than 300 meters away from the border fence when I was shot," al-Kas told Ma'an.