07 October 2023 | IFJ
Photographer killed in Israel
Unknown
Israeli photographer Yaniv Zohar, working for newspaper Israel HaYom, was killed on 7 October, during Hamas’ attack on southern Israel. The whereabouts of local photographer Roee Idan, based in southern Israel, near the Gaza strip, remain unknown since 7 October. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the killing of Zohar and calls for an immediate investigation. The IFJ is extremely concerned that photographer Idan may have been abducted by Hamas and, if so, demands his immediate release.
In the early hours of 7 October, Israeli photographer Yaniv Zohar, from daily newspaper Israel HaYom, was killed in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, in southern Israel, close to the border with the Gaza Strip. Previously, Zohar had worked for Associated Press reporting on violent escalations on the ground such as in 2014 and 2016.
Israeli photographer Roee Idan, working for digital media Ynet, has been missing since 7 October. The whereabouts of Idan remain unknown. Fears grew that he had been taken hostage by Hamas, Israeli media has reported. The news outlet he works for, Ynet, confirmed that the photographer was documenting Hamas’ attack on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where he is based, in the south of the country, five kilometres east of Gaza.
The IFJ is verifying any information regarding killed, missing and injured journalists and media workers.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “We mourn the heinous killing of photographer Yaniv Zohar and call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. The IFJ urges Hamas to verify whether photographer Roee Idan is among those kidnapped and, if suspicions are confirmed, to release him immediately.”
“The IFJ urges all involved in this conflict to safeguard journalists as they do their work. The world demands dependable reporting of this conflict and that requires reporters and photographers, on the ground, able to do their jobs in safety.”
