Broadcaster condemns “targeted killing” of correspondent Mohammed Wishah, vows legal action as rights groups decry rising journalist death toll.

An Al Jazeera journalist has been killed in Gaza following an Israeli military strike, with conflicting claims emerging over the circumstances surrounding his death.

The Israeli military said the journalist, Mohammed Wishah, was a Hamas operative who had been working under the guise of a media professional. In a statement, it alleged that Wishah was a “key figure” involved in Hamas’ rocket and weapons production and had been planning attacks against Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) personnel.

According to the military, he was targeted and killed in a strike carried out a day earlier.

However, Al Jazeera strongly rejected the claim, condemning the incident as a “heinous” and deliberate attack on a journalist. The Qatar-based broadcaster said Wishah, a correspondent with Al Jazeera Mubasher, was killed when the vehicle he was travelling in was struck west of the Gaza Strip.

The network described the killing as a targeted act intended to intimidate journalists and held Israeli forces fully responsible. It also pledged to pursue legal action to ensure accountability.

Media rights groups have also condemned the killing. Reporters Without Borders expressed concern over the rising number of journalists killed in Gaza, stating that Wishah’s death adds to more than 220 journalists reportedly killed over the past two and a half years, including at least 70 who were killed while carrying out their professional duties.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of journalists covering the conflict, as calls grow for independent investigations and protection for media workers in war zones.

Al Jazeera reiterated its commitment to seeking justice for its staff and all journalists killed in the line of duty.