Skyline International calls for accountability over Israel’s genocidal drone strikes targeting journalists in Gaza

Skyline International for Human Rights strongly condemns the deliberate targeting of journalists through drone strikes by the Israeli military, a practice that constitutes a gross violation of international humanitarian law. These attacks, which have escalated to unprecedented levels, are part of Israel’s ongoing campaign to silence critical reporting and obstruct the documentation of the atrocities unfolding in Gaza. 

A recent investigation by Forbidden Stories and a global consortium of journalists have revealed that at least 18 media workers in Gaza have been killed or injured by precision drone strikes since October 7, 2023. Among them, four were clearly identifiable as journalists, wearing press vests at the time of the attacks, further underscoring the deliberate nature of these violations.

The Israeli military’s use of drones, often guided by advanced artificial intelligence-based targeting systems, reflects a disturbing pattern of systematic attacks on the press. Lavender, an AI-driven program designed to generate endless kill lists, has been directly linked to the significant civilian death toll in Gaza. Military officials have admitted that up to 10% of the targets identified by this system may have been misclassified. Despite claims that advanced technology can differentiate between combatants and non-combatants, Israel has employed drones in so-called "hunting operations," which have resulted in the deaths of journalists and countless other civilians in Gaza.

This reliance on Lavender and other AI-based systems to determine targets for assassination—without sufficient safeguards, oversight, or proper accountability—has exacerbated the already dangerous environment for journalists. These attacks, which are not isolated incidents, form part of a broader and chilling pattern to silence independent journalism and suppress evidence of Israel’s war crimes in Gaza. The deliberate targeting of journalists undermines the core principles of press freedom and the right to information. Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, has described the Israeli military’s actions as reflecting a “blatant disregard” for international legal obligations to protect journalists. Under international humanitarian law, the targeting of media personnel, especially when visibly marked, constitutes a war crime.

As of today, 192 journalists have been killed by Israel in Gaza, making it the deadliest war for media workers in modern history. In multiple instances, reporters have been targeted while visibly performing their duties. On December 15, Samer Abu Daqqa, a cameraman for Al Jazeera, was killed in a drone strike despite wearing a press vest and being accompanied by a Civil Defense team. Other targeted killings include the assassination of journalist Mamdouh Qneita in the courtyard of the Baptist Hospital, where he was shot in the head, and the killing of Mohammed Al-Sharif by an Israeli quadcopter drone near Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip.

This climate of fear has led many media workers in Gaza to avoid wearing press vests or carrying identifying equipment, as these once protective tools have now become signals to target them. Far from ensuring their protection, the very symbol of a journalist’s work has turned into a dangerous liability, further jeopardizing their lives.

Skyline International for Human Rights calls for:

1. Immediate and decisive action by the international community to address this grave violation of international law, ensuring Israel stops all attacks on journalists and upholds its obligations to protect civilian lives under international humanitarian law.

2. Independent investigations into documented cases of drone strikes targeting media workers, with these cases being referred to the International Criminal Court for prosecution as war crimes.

3. A permanent ban on AI-driven killing machines and any targeting system that operates without human oversight. This includes ensuring that AI and emerging technologies cannot be used as tools to kill journalists and civilians, and that all actions comply with international law.

4. Governments, international organizations, and civil society to advocate for the safety and rights of journalists, who are essential to ensuring accountability and transparency in times of genocide.

 

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