Gaza journalists mourn Reuters colleague

The IDF is currently holding an investigation as to why a tank missile was fired at Shana's press vehicle, killing the 24-year-old journalist and five other Palestinians. The investigation is expected to last until next week, at which time Reuters expects an explanation for the incident, captured in the moments before Shana's camera was destroyed.

At the memorial event in Gaza, dozens of local journalists vowed to continue reporting in the territory. Speaking on behalf of colleagues from many media organizations, Reuters senior correspondent Nidal al-Mughrabi told the gathering: "In the name of all journalists we promise you, Fadel, that we will not retreat and we will strive to convey the truth."

'Free from bias'

Reuters bureau chief for Israel and the Palestinian territories Alastair Macdonald said: "At just 24, Fadel had already established himself as one of the leading video journalists in the region.

"His bravery in covering conflict in the Gaza Strip was matched by a clear awareness of the need to avoid needless risk to himself and to others and by a vision of how to convey a clear account of events in images that were true to our goal of presenting news that is accurate, fast and free from bias."

Shana was a key member of the team that last month won a prestigious award from Britain's Royal Television Society for its coverage of the situation in Gaza last June. He told an interviewer recently that nothing would stop him covering the news, except his death.