Cairo December 9, 2012

ANHRI condemns the attack on the media and newspapers headquarters in Gaza by the Israeli air craft on the grounds of “Cloud Column” operation in Gaza which lasted from 14-21 November 2012.

Israel targeted several newspapers and satellite TV channels headquarters and offices, which resulted in murdering of two journalists and 12 were injured. The attack also led to amputation of a leg of a journalist in teh attack on the Tower of Showa.

The Israeli attack on the Shorouk Tower which includes several media and newspapers offices, led to injuries of three journalists; Mazen Naaem, Mohamed El-Sherafy and Mohamed El-Mobayed in the Palestinian company of TV production. ANHRI said that “the attack on the media and journalists headquarters, is a violation to the international charters and norms; it is not not allowed to target the journalists during the military operations and the parties to the conflict have to protect them. ANHRI said that in accordance with article no, 79 of the first addendum protocol of Geneva conventions stipulates that “journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict shall be considered as civilians”.

ANHRI asserted on that ICRC considered this principle as a foundation in the humanitarian international law and shall be applied on all the armed conflicts without exceptions. ANHRI stated that the international humanitarian law prohibits any attack which could results in murdering or injuring civilians and/or damaging any of the civil premises or all of these matters combined together, which exceeds the military tangible advantages of this attack.

ANHRI calls for an immediate investigation and to release the involved of the Israeli elements and bring them before the international court due to violating the international law norms and violating the international legislation in addition to keeping the international peace and security. In addition to such attacks destabilize the international community as well as their vaunt in attacking journalists’ premises which are already prohibited in the international law.

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