Israel Claims Al Jazeera Journalist Killed In Gaza Strike Was 'Hamas Terrorist'

Last Updated:April 09, 2026, 16:36 IST

Israel says slain Al Jazeera reporter Mohammed Wishah was a Hamas militant, Al Jazeera and RSF condemn his killing as a deliberate attack on journalists in Gaza.

Israel on Thursday claimed that Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Wishah, killed a day earlier in an IDF strike in Gaza, was a Hamas militant who had “operated under the guise of a journalist".

In a social media post on X, the Israeli military called Wishah a “key terrorist" linked to Hamas’ rocket and weapons production, and said he had been involved in planning attacks against Israeli troops.

The military further added that Wishah had been “eliminated" and posed a concrete threat to its forces in the area.

“Muhammad Samir Muhammad Washah, a Hamas terrorist operating under the guise of an Al Jazeera journalist. Washah, a key terrorist in Hamas’ rocket & weapons production HQ, was also involved in the production and transfer of weapons through Gaza. The terrorist was actively involved in planning attacks against IDF troops & posed a concrete threat to forces in the area," the IDF wrote.

On Wednesday, the Qatar-based broadcaster said Wishah, a correspondent for its Mubasher channel, was killed when the vehicle he was travelling in was struck in western Gaza.

The channel called the incident as a “heinous crime" and said the killing was “not a random act but a deliberate and targeted crime intended to intimidate journalists".

The network said it holds Israeli forces “fully responsible" and pledged to pursue legal action to seek justice.

Al Jazeera said Wishah is among at least 11 of its journalists killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023. It vowed to continue efforts to hold those responsible accountable.

Media rights group Reporters Without Borders also condemned the killing. It said Wishah’s death adds to more than 220 journalists killed in Gaza over the past two and a half years, including at least 70 who were working at the time.

(With inputs from agnecies)

News world Israel Claims Al Jazeera Journalist Killed In Gaza Strike Was 'Hamas Terrorist'

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