Two More Palestinian Journalists Killed in Gaza – Death Toll Rises to 217

May 15, 2025 News
Palestinian journalists Hassan Sammour and Ahmed al-Helou were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. (Photo: via social media)

By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Gaza’s government media office denounced “in the strongest terms the systematic targeting, killing and assassination of Palestinian journalists” by Israel.

Two more Palestinian journalists were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, raising the overall death toll since October 2023 to 217, local authorities said.

Hassan Sammour, an anchor for Al-Aqsa Voice Radio, was killed along with eleven members of his family in a pre-dawn strike that targeted their home in Bani Suheila, eastern Khan Younis in southern Gaza, the Quds News Network (QNN) reported.

Journalist Ahmed al-Helou was also killed on Thursday along with his brother following an Israeli strike that targeted a civilian gathering near Hamad City, according to QNN.

Al-Helou worked in design and video editing at QNN Arabic.

Killings Denounced

Gaza’s government media office denounced “in the strongest terms the systematic targeting, killing and assassination of Palestinian journalists” by Israel.

“We hold the Israeli occupation, the US administration, and the countries participating in the crime of genocide, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, fully responsible for committing this heinous, brutal crime,” the office reportedly added.

Palestinian Journalist Hassan Islayh Targeted Twice by Israel, Killed in Hospital Bed

In the early hours of Tuesday, Palestinian journalist Hassan Islayh was killed after Israeli warplanes struck the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, where he was being treated for injuries sustained in an earlier attack. According to local sources, the strike also wounded several other patients at the hospital.

Islayh spent over a year and a half documenting the devastation inflicted on Gaza’s population by the Israeli army.

On April 7, he was injured when Israeli forces targeted a journalists’ tent—also at Nasser Hospital. Several of his colleagues were killed in the strike. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

‘Resilient, Unwavering’ – How Journalists in Gaza Foiled Israel’s Plans

However, as Islayh lay recovering in the hospital, Israeli forces targeted the burns unit on Tuesday, where he was being treated—this time killing him.

The last report he wrote was about an Israeli bombing in Khan Yunis.

Gaza ‘Most Dangerous’ for Journalists

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said it demanded justice over his killing.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in its 2024 Round-up report that Gaza is “the world’s most dangerous region for journalists,” having reached “a five-year high (57.4%).”

“In 2024, the Gaza Strip accounted for nearly 30% of journalists killed on the job, according to RSF’s latest information. They were killed by the Israeli army,” RSF said.

Palestine was identified as “the most dangerous country” for journalists, “recording a higher death toll than any other country over the past five years.”

“More than 145 journalists have been killed in Palestine since October 2023, including at least 35 targeted in the line of duty, according to our latest information,” RSF said.

ICC Complaints

The organization has filed four complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes committed against journalists.

According to RSF, Israel “became the world’s third-largest prison for journalists.”

New Film Exposes Identity of Israeli Sniper Who Killed Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh

“Israel is, by far, the country that has locked up the most journalists since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, and is now the world’s third-biggest prison for journalists,” the organization said.

(PC, QNN)

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