Gaza journalist deaths Jan 2026: Press Freedom Under Fire in Targeted Strike

The camera stopped rolling, and the vehicle was reduced to a charred skeleton. On January 21, 2026, three journalists were among at least 11 Palestinians killed in a series of Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip.

Gaza journalist deaths Jan 2026 and the Target Allegations

The photojournalists—identified as Anas Ghunaim, Abdul Ra’ouf, and Shaath Mohammad Qeshta—worked for the Egyptian Committee for Gaza Relief. They were documenting a new displacement camp near the Netzarim Corridor when an Israeli strike hit their vehicle. Al Jazeera reported that the wreckage continued to smolder long after the attack.

A spokesman for the committee told The Associated Press that the Israeli military was already aware of the vehicle’s relief status. However, Israeli Army Radio cited security sources claiming the occupants used a drone to collect intelligence on IDF forces, sparking a fierce debate over the strike's legality.

Mounting Casualties and Ceasefire Strains

Beyond the press, the violence claimed civilian lives in Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis. In one instance, a 13-year-old boy was shot dead while collecting firewood. These incidents mark continued violations of the October 10 ceasefire brokered by the United States. Approximately 2.2 million people remain in acute humanitarian need as the cold winter exacerbates the crisis.