During a White House press briefing Thursday afternoon, an Al Jazeera reporter suggested the Israeli military is intentionally killing journalists who are reporting on the Israel-Hamas conflict from Gaza.
Kimberly Halkett, who covers the White House for the Qatari outlet, asked National Security Council spokesman John Kirby if he’s concerned that Israel is allegedly trying to “silence journalists” who are telling “both sides of the story.” Halkett asked the question after her colleague’s family was killed by an Israeli airstrike the day before.
Kirby denied the claim that Israel is intentionally targeting news reporters based in the region.
“I’ve not seen any indication whatsoever that Israel is going after journalists, in particular because of them trying to tell a story. I’ve seen absolutely zero evidence of that, and that’s an unfounded allegation,” he said in response.
Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett: “24 journalists have been killed in Gaza…Are you you concerned that Israel is trying to silence journalists…?”
NSC’s John Kirby: “I have not seen any indication whatsoever that Israel is going after journalists…That’s an unfounded allegation.” pic.twitter.com/zdyZ06b3d7
— The Recount (@therecount) October 26, 2023
The press briefing comes after at least four family members of Wael al-Dahdouh, Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday. Al-Dahdouh’s wife, son, daughter, and infant grandson died while sheltering at a Gazan refugee camp, where they were told they’d be safe. The journalist was reporting on the ground when the incident occurred.
Al Jazeera’s parent company posted a statement in response to the tragedy, blaming Israel for its “indiscriminate assault” on al-Dahdouh’s family. “Al Jazeera is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of our colleagues in Gaza and hold the Israeli authorities responsible for their security,” the network said.
The report also comes as U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken recently asked the Qatari prime minister to tone down Al Jazeera’s coverage of Israel’s retaliatory war against Hamas, which Halkett also asked Kirby about.
“The president doesn’t believe that targeting journalists at all in any way is appropriate, but I can’t speak to the specifics of that case,” the White House spokesman answered, deferring the question to Blinken’s staff. “I’ve seen the reporting and certainly our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. That’s just horrible, but I can’t speak to the circumstances in which that strike occurred. But make no mistake, the president believes strongly in what you all do for a living and how you need to be able to do that freely and securely.
“We recognize Al Jazeera as a valuable voice and outlet that has incredible reach in the region and beyond,” Kirby added.
At least 27 journalists, including 22 Palestinians, were confirmed dead since the conflict broke out on October 7 as of Thursday, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. At least 17 journalists were reported injured, missing, or detained so far.