Translation of Hisham's message:

"Despite all of this hysterical bombardment and destruction that the occupation wants to impose on Gaza and instill terror and anxiety among the people, nothing will happen except that Aallah has decreed it. Oh Allah help our resistance to remain firm, grant us patience, safety and security. Bring down this occupation and grant us a clear victory. Everyone be reassured and calm, and don't worry. This will only be a few hours (not literally, in the sense of "in the grand scheme of things") God willing. And, if Allah wills it, we will be in His company and He will not forsake us. May He always keep us in a safe haven. Incha'Allah we will all meet each other safe and sound. Please reassure those around you, your family, your children, your wife, your relatives, that you are fine, and we will always be fine, God willing no evil will touch us. All of this means that the occupation got a painful blow and, God willing, we will be victorious. Oh Allah, grants us the victory that you promised."

Saeed Al-Taweel was editor-in-chief of Al-Khamsa news agency, Mohammed Rizq Sobh was a photojournalist for Khabar news agency, Hisham Al-Nawajiha was a correspondent with Khabar news agency.

On October 9, while covering the violent bombing of Gaza City, journalists Saeed Radwan al-Taweel, a resident of the Rafah Governorate in the south and editor-in-chief of the Al-Khamsa News website, and journalist Mohammad Rizq Sobh, a resident of Gaza and photographer for Khabar Agency, were killed. In the same bombing, journalist Hisham Al-Nawajiha, who was also covering the events, was severely injured and died later that same day.

Saeed Al-Taweel was a Palestinian journalist living in Rafah, southern Gaza. On October 9, while covering Israeli attacks in Gaza, he was killed after being targeted by an Israeli rocket. While filming events, Saeed and his news team were ordered by Israeli forces to leave their office before it was bombed. They relocated and continued filming, but that location was also struck, resulting in the deaths of both Mohammad Rizq Sobh and Saeed Al-Taweel.

The Israeli army targeted the Al-Hiji building in Gaza City, which housed several media offices.

All the journalists were wearing their press jackets and were on duty during the assault.

Hisham Al-Nawajiha

UNESCO Director-General Statement :

"16 October 2023 (Last update:10 September 2024) I deplore the death of journalists Saeed Al-Taweel, Mohammed Sobboh and Hisham Alnwajha and I request an independent investigation to determine the circumstances of this tragedy. Journalists covering conflict situations must be protected as civilians, in accordance with international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 2222/2015 on the protection of journalists, media professional and associated personnel in situations of conflict. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay UNESCO Director-General

(...)

The three journalists were killed in an airstrike on Gaza on 10 October 2023. Reports indicate the three were covering the evacuation of a nearby residential building when the missile strike occurred.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. "