Mohammed al-Baba, a photographer for Agence France-Presse, was hit by a live round fired by the Israel Defense Forces while covering a protest east of the northern Gazan city of Jabalia, according to news reports, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, reportsshared by news outlets on social media, and CPJ interviews with local journalists Saud Abu Ramadan and Moneeb Saada.
Al-Baba, who was shot below the knee in the right leg, was taken to Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia, according to the same sources and local reporter Sami Eissa.
The journalist has been undergoing treatment to stabilize the bone that was injured as a result of the bullet, according to his employer.
“The use of live ammunition against journalists covering the Gaza protests shows how little regard Israel has for their safety,” CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said from Washington, D.C. “Israeli authorities must investigate the shooting of Mohammed al-Baba and take all measures to ensure that the media can safely cover protests.”
Source: IFEX
