A Palestinian TV channel reported that an Israeli airstrike on Thursday killed five journalists in Gaza. The strike targeted their vehicle in the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza. Israel’s military claimed it had struck a “terrorist cell.”

According to reports, Faisal Abu Al-Qumsan, Ayman Al-Jadi, Ibrahim Al-Sheikh Khalil, Fadi Hassouna, and Mohammed Al-Lada’a, were reportedly killed while “performing their journalistic and humanitarian duty.”

The Israeli military said the strike was “precise” and targeted a vehicle carrying an Islamic Jihad cell. Witnesses in Nuseirat reported that the missile struck the parked broadcast vehicle near Al-Awda Hospital, setting it ablaze and killing those inside.

The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed devastation over the deaths, emphasizing that journalists are civilians and should always be protected. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate reported that over 190 journalists have been killed and at least 400 injured since the conflict began, following Hamas’ October 7 attack last year.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting over 45,361 deaths, mostly civilians, figures considered reliable by the UN.